1978 Cape Dory 25 vs Hunter 170 — Comparison
1978 Cape Dory 25
Hunter 170
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Cape Dory 25 | Hunter 170 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Hunter |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1996–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 0.84 m (2.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 295 kg (650 lbs) |
| Ballast | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 59 kg (130 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) | 11.2 m² (121 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | — |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Cape Dory 25 and Hunter 170 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the Hunter 170 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 was penned by Carl Alberg. The Hunter 170 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Hunter 170 at 5.18m (17.0ft) with a 1.98m beam. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 is 2.44m longer than the Hunter 170. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 displaces approximately 592% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.79 and 25.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 170, with an SA/D of 25.70 and 11.2 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 170 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 170 has a comfort ratio of 8.1 and a capsize screening value of 1.19. The ballast ratios are 42.2% for the 1978 Cape Dory 25 and 20.0% for the Hunter 170, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Hunter 170 offers an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 25 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 170 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.