1988 Swan 38 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Hunter |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1988 Swan 38 is 2.41m longer than the Hunter 30. The 1988 Swan 38 displaces approximately 94% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Swan 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 63.2 m² of sail area. The Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Swan 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Swan 38 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Swan 38 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 30 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Swan 38 · Hunter 30