1981 Pearson 36 vs Hunter 380 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 36
Hunter 380
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 36 | Hunter 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hunter |
| Year | 1981–1985 | 2001–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,124 kg (13,501 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.6 m² (555 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 36 and Hunter 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 36 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the Hunter 380 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1981 Pearson 36 was penned by William Shaw. The Hunter 380 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 36 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Hunter 380 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Hunter 380 is 0.91m longer than the 1981 Pearson 36. The Hunter 380 displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.66 and 51.6 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 1981 Pearson 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 380 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.7% for the 1981 Pearson 36 and 37.5% for the Hunter 380, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hunter 380 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 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 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: 1981 Pearson 36 · Hunter 380