Hunter 27 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Hunter 27
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 27 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1992–1998 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 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) | 57 L (15.1 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 Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 27 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hunter 27 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Hunter 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Hunter 306 is 1.02m longer than the Hunter 27. The Hunter 306 displaces approximately 60% 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 Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the Hunter 27 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 306 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Hunter 27 · Hunter 306