Hunter 27 vs 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon — Comparison
Hunter 27
1975 Cape Dory Typhoon
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 27 | 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1992–1998 | 1975–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 272 kg (600 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) | 10.6 m² (114 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 5 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 8 L (2.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 27 and 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 27 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Hunter 27 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Hunter 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon at 5.79m (19.0ft) with a 1.83m beam. The Hunter 27 is 2.44m longer than the 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon. The Hunter 27 displaces approximately 267% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon, with an SA/D of 13.94 and 10.6 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Hunter 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the Hunter 27 and 40.0% for the 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon offers 2 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and 8L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Cape Dory Typhoon 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 27 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.