1979 Islander 36 vs Hunter 27 — Comparison
1979 Islander 36
Hunter 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Islander 36 | Hunter 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Hunter |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.2 m² (583 ft²) | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Islander 36 and Hunter 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Islander 36 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Hunter 27 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1979 Islander 36 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Hunter 27 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1979 Islander 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Hunter 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.79m beam. The 1979 Islander 36 is 2.74m longer than the Hunter 27. The 1979 Islander 36 displaces approximately 155% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Islander 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.06 and 54.2 m² of sail area. The Hunter 27, with an SA/D of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Islander 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Hunter 27 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1979 Islander 36 and 36.4% for the Hunter 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Islander 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hunter 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Islander 36 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Islander 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.