1980 Peterson 34 vs Hanse 320 — Comparison
1980 Peterson 34
Hanse 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Peterson 34 | Hanse 320 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Hanse |
| Year | 1980–1986 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Peterson 34 and Hanse 320 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Peterson 34 is a 1980s design by Peterson from USA, while the Hanse 320 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1980 Peterson 34 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Hanse 320 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1980 Peterson 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Hanse 320 at 9.92m (32.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1980 Peterson 34 is 0.44m longer than the Hanse 320. The 1980 Peterson 34 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Peterson 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The Hanse 320, with an SA/D of 16.90 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1980 Peterson 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Peterson 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Hanse 320 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1980 Peterson 34 and 30.4% for the Hanse 320, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Peterson 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hanse 320 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Peterson 34 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 1980 Peterson 34 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.