1975 Columbia 34 Mk II vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Hunter |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.5 m² (501 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II was penned by William Crealock. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Hunter 36 is 0.46m longer than the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II. The Hunter 36 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.71 and 46.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II 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 36 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II · Hunter 36