1985 Freedom 21 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
1985 Freedom 21
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Freedom 21 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Hunter |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 272 kg (600 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 5 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Freedom 21 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Freedom 21 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1985 Freedom 21 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1985 Freedom 21 measures 6.40m (21.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Hunter 260 is 1.45m longer than the 1985 Freedom 21. The Hunter 260 displaces approximately 181% 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 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 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 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1985 Freedom 21 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, 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 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 260 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 260 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.