1979 Peterson 44 vs Hunter 380 — Comparison
Hunter 380
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | Hunter 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Hunter |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2001–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and Hunter 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the Hunter 380 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Hunter 380 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Hunter 380 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 1.83m longer than the Hunter 380. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 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 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Hunter 380 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 37.5% for the Hunter 380, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The Hunter 380 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Peterson 44 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1979 Peterson 44 · Hunter 380