1975 Pearson 39 vs Hunter 380 — Comparison
1975 Pearson 39
Hunter 380
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Pearson 39 | Hunter 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hunter |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 2001–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.8 m² (654 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Pearson 39 and Hunter 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Pearson 39 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the Hunter 380 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1975 Pearson 39 was penned by William Shaw. The Hunter 380 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1975 Pearson 39 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Hunter 380 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1975 Pearson 39 is 0.31m longer than the Hunter 380. The 1975 Pearson 39 displaces approximately 6% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Pearson 39 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.83 and 60.8 m² of sail area. The Hunter 380, with an SA/D of 17.35 and 64.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 380 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Pearson 39 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Hunter 380 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1975 Pearson 39 and 37.5% for the Hunter 380, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Pearson 39 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Hunter 380 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 39 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 380 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.