Hunter 36 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 36 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Valiant |
| Year | 1996–2001 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 36 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 36 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The Hunter 36 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Hunter 36 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 0.46m longer than the Hunter 36. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 23% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 36 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Hunter 36 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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 36 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.
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Or view individual specs: Hunter 36 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37