Hunter 356 vs 1996 Moody 45 — Comparison
Hunter 356
1996 Moody 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 356 | 1996 Moody 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Moody |
| Year | 2000–2005 | 1996–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) | 4.22 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 356 and 1996 Moody 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 356 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1996 Moody 45 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The Hunter 356 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1996 Moody 45 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the Hunter 356 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.53m, compared to the 1996 Moody 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.22m beam. The 1996 Moody 45 is 2.90m longer than the Hunter 356. The 1996 Moody 45 displaces approximately 130% 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 1996 Moody 45, with an SA/D of 16.03 and 85.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1996 Moody 45 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the Hunter 356 and 39.2% for the 1996 Moody 45, 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 1996 Moody 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Moody 45 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 1996 Moody 45 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 · 1996 Moody 45