Hunter 170 vs 1975 Ericson 25+ — Comparison
Hunter 170
1975 Ericson 25+
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 170 | 1975 Ericson 25+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Ericson |
| Year | 1996–2009 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) |
| Beam | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.84 m (2.8 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 295 kg (650 lbs) | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 59 kg (130 lbs) | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 11.2 m² (121 ft²) | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 23 L (6.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | — | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 170 and 1975 Ericson 25+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 170 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1975 Ericson 25+ is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Hunter 170 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1975 Ericson 25+ was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Hunter 170 measures 5.18m (17.0ft) overall with a beam of 1.98m, compared to the 1975 Ericson 25+ at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1975 Ericson 25+ is 2.44m longer than the Hunter 170. The 1975 Ericson 25+ displaces approximately 546% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 170 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 25.70 and 11.2 m² of sail area. The 1975 Ericson 25+, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 25.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 170 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 170 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.19). The 1975 Ericson 25+ has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 20.0% for the Hunter 170 and 38.1% for the 1975 Ericson 25+, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 170 provides an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. The 1975 Ericson 25+ offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L water and 23L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Ericson 25+ 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 170 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.