Hunter 280 vs 1979 Pearson 37 — Comparison
Hunter 280
1979 Pearson 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 280 | 1979 Pearson 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Pearson |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) | 3.43 m (11.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) | 7,258 kg (16,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 3,084 kg (6,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 190 L (50.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 280 and 1979 Pearson 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 280 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1979 Pearson 37 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The Hunter 280 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1979 Pearson 37 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the Hunter 280 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.82m, compared to the 1979 Pearson 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.43m beam. The 1979 Pearson 37 is 2.75m longer than the Hunter 280. The 1979 Pearson 37 displaces approximately 181% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 280 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Pearson 37, with an SA/D of 15.18 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 280 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 280 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 1979 Pearson 37 has a comfort ratio of 24.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the Hunter 280 and 42.5% for the 1979 Pearson 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 280 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1979 Pearson 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 190L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Pearson 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 280 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Pearson 37 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 280 · 1979 Pearson 37