Hunter 356 vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 356 | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2000–2005 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 356 and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 356 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Hunter 356 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Hunter 356 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.53m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Hunter 356 is 2.59m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The Hunter 356 displaces approximately 100% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 356 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Hunter 356 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 356 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the Hunter 356 and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 356 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 356 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 356 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: Hunter 356 · 1978 Cape Dory 270