1985 Freedom 21 vs Hunter 27 — Comparison
1985 Freedom 21
Hunter 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Freedom 21 | Hunter 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Hunter |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 272 kg (600 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 5 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Freedom 21 and Hunter 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Freedom 21 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the Hunter 27 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1985 Freedom 21 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The Hunter 27 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1985 Freedom 21 measures 6.40m (21.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Hunter 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Hunter 27 is 1.83m longer than the 1985 Freedom 21. The Hunter 27 displaces approximately 244% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Freedom 21 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.52 and 16.3 m² of sail area. The Hunter 27, with an SA/D of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1985 Freedom 21 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Freedom 21 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.95). The Hunter 27 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1985 Freedom 21 and 36.4% for the Hunter 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Freedom 21 provides 2 berths with 15L of water capacity and 11L of fuel. The Hunter 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 27 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 1985 Freedom 21 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 27 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.