Hunter 27 vs 1977 Cal 33 — Comparison
Hunter 27
1977 Cal 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 27 | 1977 Cal 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Cal |
| Year | 1992–1998 | 1977–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 27 and 1977 Cal 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 27 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Hunter 27 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1977 Cal 33 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Hunter 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the 1977 Cal 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1977 Cal 33 is 1.83m longer than the Hunter 27. The 1977 Cal 33 displaces approximately 109% 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 1977 Cal 33, with an SA/D of 14.53 and 43.0 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 1977 Cal 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the Hunter 27 and 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 33, 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 1977 Cal 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cal 33 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 1977 Cal 33 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.