Hunter 31 vs 1975 Pearson 28 — Comparison
Hunter 31
1975 Pearson 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 31 | 1975 Pearson 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Pearson |
| Year | 2000–2005 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 30.0 m² (323 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 31 and 1975 Pearson 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 31 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1975 Pearson 28 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The Hunter 31 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1975 Pearson 28 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the Hunter 31 measures 9.45m (31.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.12m, compared to the 1975 Pearson 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Hunter 31 is 0.92m longer than the 1975 Pearson 28. The Hunter 31 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 31 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.51 and 44.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Pearson 28, with an SA/D of 14.83 and 30.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Hunter 31 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 31 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1975 Pearson 28 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the Hunter 31 and 43.1% for the 1975 Pearson 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 31 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1975 Pearson 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 28 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 31 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 31 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.