1985 Hunter 25.5 vs 1972 Ranger 29 — Comparison
1985 Hunter 25.5
1972 Ranger 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Hunter 25.5 | 1972 Ranger 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Ranger |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Gary Mull |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.7 m² (277 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Hunter 25.5 and 1972 Ranger 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1972 Ranger 29 is a 1970s offering from Ranger from USA. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1972 Ranger 29 was designed by Gary Mull.
In terms of size, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 measures 7.77m (25.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1972 Ranger 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1972 Ranger 29 is 1.07m longer than the 1985 Hunter 25.5. The 1972 Ranger 29 displaces approximately 100% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.19 and 25.7 m² of sail area. The 1972 Ranger 29, with an SA/D of 16.47 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The 1972 Ranger 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1985 Hunter 25.5 and 42.9% for the 1972 Ranger 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The 1972 Ranger 29 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Ranger 29 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 Hunter 25.5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1972 Ranger 29 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.