1998 Hunter 340 vs 1975 Ericson 25+ — Comparison
1998 Hunter 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Hunter 340 | 1975 Ericson 25+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Ericson |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 23 L (6.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Hunter 340 and 1975 Ericson 25+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Hunter 340 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1975 Ericson 25+ is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1998 Hunter 340 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1975 Ericson 25+ was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1998 Hunter 340 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 1975 Ericson 25+ at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1998 Hunter 340 is 2.74m longer than the 1975 Ericson 25+. The 1998 Hunter 340 displaces approximately 186% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Hunter 340 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The 1975 Ericson 25+, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 25.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1998 Hunter 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Hunter 340 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1975 Ericson 25+ has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1998 Hunter 340 and 38.1% for the 1975 Ericson 25+, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Hunter 340 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The 1975 Ericson 25+ offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L water and 23L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Ericson 25+ 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 1998 Hunter 340 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Hunter 340 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: 1998 Hunter 340 · 1975 Ericson 25+