Hanse 320 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Hanse 320
1988 Valiant Esprit 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 320 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Valiant |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 320 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 320 is a 2000s design by Hanse from Germany, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The Hanse 320 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Hanse 320 measures 9.92m (32.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 1.36m longer than the Hanse 320. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 320 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.90 and 46.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hanse 320 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 320 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Hanse 320 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 320 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 90L of fuel. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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 320 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.