Hunter 280 vs 1997 Tartan 3700 — Comparison
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 280 | 1997 Tartan 3700 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Tartan |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 1997–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) | 7,031 kg (15,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 280 and 1997 Tartan 3700 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 280 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1997 Tartan 3700 is a 1990s offering from Tartan from USA. The Hunter 280 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1997 Tartan 3700 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the Hunter 280 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.82m, compared to the 1997 Tartan 3700 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1997 Tartan 3700 is 2.75m longer than the Hunter 280. The 1997 Tartan 3700 displaces approximately 172% 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 1997 Tartan 3700, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 1997 Tartan 3700 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the Hunter 280 and 41.9% for the 1997 Tartan 3700, 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 1997 Tartan 3700 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 220L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Tartan 3700 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 1997 Tartan 3700 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 · 1997 Tartan 3700