Hunter 31 vs 1993 Feeling 36 — Comparison
Hunter 31
1993 Feeling 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 31 | 1993 Feeling 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Feeling |
| Year | 2000–2005 | 1993–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,300 kg (5,071 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 31 and 1993 Feeling 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 31 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1993 Feeling 36 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Hunter 31 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1993 Feeling 36 was designed by Philippe Harlé.
In terms of size, the Hunter 31 measures 9.45m (31.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.12m, compared to the 1993 Feeling 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.52m beam. The 1993 Feeling 36 is 1.52m longer than the Hunter 31. The 1993 Feeling 36 displaces approximately 52% 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 1993 Feeling 36, with an SA/D of 15.96 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1993 Feeling 36 has a comfort ratio of 18.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the Hunter 31 and 37.1% for the 1993 Feeling 36, 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 1993 Feeling 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 31 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.