Hunter 212 vs 1975 Cal 29 — Comparison
Hunter 212
1975 Cal 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 212 | 1975 Cal 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Cal |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 1975–1981 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Bill Lapworth |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.35 m (20.8 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.56 m (18.2 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.26 m (7.4 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 168 kg (370 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 212 and 1975 Cal 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 212 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1975 Cal 29 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Hunter 212 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1975 Cal 29 was designed by Bill Lapworth.
In terms of size, the Hunter 212 measures 6.35m (20.8ft) overall with a beam of 2.26m, compared to the 1975 Cal 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1975 Cal 29 is 2.49m longer than the Hunter 212. The 1975 Cal 29 displaces approximately 367% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 212 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 21.04 and 16.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Cal 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 212 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 212 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 10.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.03). The 1975 Cal 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 24.7% for the Hunter 212 and 42.9% for the 1975 Cal 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 212 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 15L of water capacity and unspecified fuel capacity. The 1975 Cal 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Cal 29 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 212 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1975 Cal 29 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.