1973 Tartan 34 vs Hunter 31 — Comparison
1973 Tartan 34
Hunter 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Tartan 34 | Hunter 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Tartan | Hunter |
| Year | 1973–1984 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.5 m² (501 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Tartan 34 and Hunter 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Tartan 34 is a 1970s design by Tartan from USA, while the Hunter 31 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1973 Tartan 34 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The Hunter 31 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1973 Tartan 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hunter 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.12m beam. The 1973 Tartan 34 is 0.91m longer than the Hunter 31. The 1973 Tartan 34 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Tartan 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.27 and 46.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 31, with an SA/D of 17.51 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 31 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Tartan 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 27.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The Hunter 31 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 45.0% for the 1973 Tartan 34 and 38.9% for the Hunter 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Tartan 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hunter 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Tartan 34 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Hunter 31 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.