Hunter 170 vs 1978 C&C 24 — Comparison
Hunter 170
1978 C&C 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 170 | 1978 C&C 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1996–2009 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) | 6.10 m (20.0 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) | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) |
| Ballast | 59 kg (130 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 11.2 m² (121 ft²) | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | — | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 170 and 1978 C&C 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 170 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1978 C&C 24 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Hunter 170 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1978 C&C 24 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Hunter 170 measures 5.18m (17.0ft) overall with a beam of 1.98m, compared to the 1978 C&C 24 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1978 C&C 24 is 2.14m longer than the Hunter 170. The 1978 C&C 24 displaces approximately 407% 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 1978 C&C 24, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 24.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 1978 C&C 24 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.85. The ballast ratios are 20.0% for the Hunter 170 and 40.9% for the 1978 C&C 24, 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 1978 C&C 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 C&C 24 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.