Hunter 30 vs 2000 Najad 355 — Comparison
Hunter 30
2000 Najad 355
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 30 | 2000 Najad 355 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Najad |
| Year | 1991–1996 | 2000–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.72 m (35.2 ft) |
| LWL | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 6,000 kg (13,228 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 30 and 2000 Najad 355 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 30 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2000 Najad 355 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Hunter 30 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 2000 Najad 355 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Hunter 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 2000 Najad 355 at 10.72m (35.2ft) with a 3.38m beam. The 2000 Najad 355 is 1.58m longer than the Hunter 30. The 2000 Najad 355 displaces approximately 56% 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 2000 Najad 355, with an SA/D of 15.69 and 51.0 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 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 2000 Najad 355 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the Hunter 30 and 40.0% for the 2000 Najad 355, 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 2000 Najad 355 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2000 Najad 355 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.