Hunter 260 vs Hunter 33 — Comparison
Hunter 260
Hunter 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 260 | Hunter 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 260 and Hunter 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 260 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 33 is a 1980s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hunter 260 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Hunter 33 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Hunter 260 measures 7.85m (25.8ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the Hunter 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Hunter 33 is 2.21m longer than the Hunter 260. The Hunter 33 displaces approximately 133% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 260 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 33, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 260 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 260 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.87). The Hunter 33 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the Hunter 260 and 38.1% for the Hunter 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 260 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Hunter 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 33 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 260 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 33 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.