Hunter 260 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Hunter 260
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 260 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 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 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 260 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hunter 260 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Hunter 260 measures 7.85m (25.8ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Hunter 356 is 2.97m longer than the Hunter 260. The Hunter 356 displaces approximately 167% 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 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 356 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 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the Hunter 260 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, 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 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 356 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 356 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 356 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 356