Hanse 320 vs Hunter 31 — Comparison
Hanse 320
Hunter 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 320 | Hunter 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Hunter |
| Year | 2005–2010 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 90 L (23.8 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 320 and Hunter 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 320 is a 2000s design by Hanse from Germany, while the Hunter 31 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hanse 320 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The Hunter 31 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Hanse 320 measures 9.92m (32.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Hunter 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.12m beam. The Hanse 320 is 0.47m longer than the Hunter 31. The Hanse 320 displaces approximately 13% 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 Hunter 31, with an SA/D of 17.51 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 31 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 Hunter 31 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Hanse 320 and 38.9% for the Hunter 31, 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 Hunter 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 31 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 31 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.
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