Hunter 33 vs 1983 Freedom 36 — Comparison
Hunter 33
1983 Freedom 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 33 | 1983 Freedom 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Freedom |
| Year | 1988–1994 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) | 49.0 m² (527 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 190 L (50.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 33 and 1983 Freedom 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 33 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1983 Freedom 36 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The Hunter 33 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1983 Freedom 36 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the Hunter 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1983 Freedom 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The 1983 Freedom 36 is 0.91m longer than the Hunter 33. The 1983 Freedom 36 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 33 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.23 and 48.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Freedom 36, with an SA/D of 14.88 and 49.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Hunter 33 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 33 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1983 Freedom 36 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Hunter 33 and 37.0% for the 1983 Freedom 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1983 Freedom 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 190L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Freedom 36 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 33 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Hunter 33 · 1983 Freedom 36