Hunter 260 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
Hunter 260
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 260 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 260 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 260 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hunter 260 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Hunter 30 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 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Hunter 30 is 1.29m longer than the Hunter 260. The Hunter 30 displaces approximately 89% 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 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the Hunter 260 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, 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 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 30 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 30 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 260 · Hunter 30