Hunter 240 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
Hunter 240
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 240 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 476 kg (1,049 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 8 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 240 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 240 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hunter 240 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Hunter 240 measures 7.32m (24.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Hunter 30 is 1.82m longer than the Hunter 240. The Hunter 30 displaces approximately 183% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 240 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.62 and 22.5 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 240 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 240 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.88). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.0% for the Hunter 240 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 240 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L of water capacity and 19L 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 240 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.