Hanse 400 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 400 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Hunter |
| Year | 2002–2006 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.10 m (39.7 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.60 m (34.8 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 400 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 400 is a 2000s design by Hanse from Germany, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hanse 400 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Hanse 400 measures 12.10m (39.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Hanse 400 is 2.85m longer than the Hunter 306. The Hanse 400 displaces approximately 90% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 400 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.87 and 68.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 400 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Hanse 400 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 400 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 Hanse 400 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 400 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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