1984 MacGregor 26 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | Hunter |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Hunter 30 is 1.34m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The Hunter 30 displaces approximately 286% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 MacGregor 26 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 22.70 and 22.3 m² of sail area. The Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 MacGregor 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 MacGregor 26 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.04). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 MacGregor 26 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 30 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 1984 MacGregor 26 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.