Hunter 27 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Hunter 27
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 27 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1992–1998 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 27 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 27 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hunter 27 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Hunter 356 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 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Hunter 356 is 2.59m longer than the Hunter 27. The Hunter 356 displaces approximately 118% 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 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 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 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the Hunter 27 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, 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 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 27 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 356 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 356