1976 Newport 27 vs Hunter 185 — Comparison
1976 Newport 27
Hunter 185
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1976 Newport 27 | Hunter 185 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Capital Yachts | Hunter |
| Year | 1976–1984 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Gary Mull | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 5.54 m (18.2 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 4.95 m (16.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 408 kg (899 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 82 kg (181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 29.1 m² (313 ft²) | 13.0 m² (140 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1976 Newport 27 and Hunter 185 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1976 Newport 27 is a 1970s design by Capital Yachts from USA, while the Hunter 185 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1976 Newport 27 was penned by Gary Mull. The Hunter 185 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1976 Newport 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Hunter 185 at 5.54m (18.2ft) with a 2.13m beam. The 1976 Newport 27 is 2.69m longer than the Hunter 185. The 1976 Newport 27 displaces approximately 512% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1976 Newport 27 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.08 and 29.1 m² of sail area. The Hunter 185, with an SA/D of 24.03 and 13.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 185 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1976 Newport 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Hunter 185 has a comfort ratio of 8.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.15. The ballast ratios are 41.8% for the 1976 Newport 27 and 20.1% for the Hunter 185, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1976 Newport 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Hunter 185 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Newport 27 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 185 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1976 Newport 27 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.