1981 Pearson 303 vs Hanse 320 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
Hanse 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | Hanse 320 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hanse |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | William Shaw | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and Hanse 320 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the Hanse 320 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The Hanse 320 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 303 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hanse 320 at 9.92m (32.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The Hanse 320 is 0.78m longer than the 1981 Pearson 303. The Hanse 320 displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 303 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.45 and 39.8 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 Hanse 320 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 303 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hanse 320 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 30.4% for the Hanse 320, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 303 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Hanse 320 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 303 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 Hanse 320 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 320 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.