1986 J/28 vs Hunter 212 — Comparison
1986 J/28
Hunter 212
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1986 J/28 | Hunter 212 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | J/Boats | Hunter |
| Year | 1986–1990 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Rod Johnstone | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.66 m (28.4 ft) | 6.35 m (20.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 5.56 m (18.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.26 m (7.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 168 kg (370 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 37.6 m² (405 ft²) | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 4 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 3 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1986 J/28 and Hunter 212 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1986 J/28 is a 1980s design by J/Boats from USA, while the Hunter 212 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1986 J/28 was penned by Rod Johnstone. The Hunter 212 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1986 J/28 measures 8.66m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hunter 212 at 6.35m (20.8ft) with a 2.26m beam. The 1986 J/28 is 2.31m longer than the Hunter 212. The 1986 J/28 displaces approximately 334% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1986 J/28 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.59 and 37.6 m² of sail area. The Hunter 212, with an SA/D of 21.04 and 16.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 212 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1986 J/28 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.85). The Hunter 212 has a comfort ratio of 10.5 and a capsize screening value of 1.03. The ballast ratios are 46.2% for the 1986 J/28 and 24.7% for the Hunter 212, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1986 J/28 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Hunter 212 offers 3 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 J/28 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 212 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1986 J/28 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.