Hunter 30 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Hunter 30
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 30 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1991–1996 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 30 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 30 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hunter 30 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Hunter 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Hunter 356 is 1.68m longer than the Hunter 30. The Hunter 356 displaces approximately 41% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 30 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 356 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the Hunter 30 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Hunter 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 30 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 356 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.