Hunter 450 vs 1983 Freedom 36 — Comparison
1983 Freedom 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 450 | 1983 Freedom 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Freedom |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) | 49.0 m² (527 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 341 L (90.1 gal) | 190 L (50.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 450 and 1983 Freedom 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 450 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1983 Freedom 36 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The Hunter 450 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1983 Freedom 36 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the Hunter 450 measures 13.72m (45.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.27m, compared to the 1983 Freedom 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The Hunter 450 is 2.75m longer than the 1983 Freedom 36. The Hunter 450 displaces approximately 78% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 450 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Freedom 36, with an SA/D of 14.88 and 49.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Hunter 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 450 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1983 Freedom 36 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the Hunter 450 and 37.0% for the 1983 Freedom 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 450 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L of water capacity and 189L of fuel. The 1983 Freedom 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 190L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Freedom 36 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 450 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 450 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 450 · 1983 Freedom 36