1982 Hunter 34 vs Hunter 185 — Comparison
1982 Hunter 34
Hunter 185
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1982 Hunter 34 | Hunter 185 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1982–1988 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 5.54 m (18.2 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 4.95 m (16.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 408 kg (899 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 82 kg (181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.2 m² (540 ft²) | 13.0 m² (140 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 2 |
| Cabins | 2 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1982 Hunter 34 and Hunter 185 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1982 Hunter 34 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 185 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1982 Hunter 34 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Hunter 185 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1982 Hunter 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Hunter 185 at 5.54m (18.2ft) with a 2.13m beam. The 1982 Hunter 34 is 4.82m longer than the Hunter 185. The 1982 Hunter 34 displaces approximately 1234% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1982 Hunter 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.48 and 50.2 m² of sail area. The Hunter 185, with an SA/D of 24.03 and 13.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 185 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1982 Hunter 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Hunter 185 has a comfort ratio of 8.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.15. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1982 Hunter 34 and 20.1% for the Hunter 185, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1982 Hunter 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Hunter 185 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Hunter 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 Hunter 185 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1982 Hunter 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.