Hunter 306 vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Hunter 306
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 306 | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 306 and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 306 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hunter 306 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Hunter 306 measures 9.25m (30.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Hunter 36 is 1.57m longer than the Hunter 306. The Hunter 36 displaces approximately 48% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 306 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 306 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the Hunter 306 and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 306 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.