Hanse 388 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 388 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Hunter |
| Year | 2017 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.73 m (12.2 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 260 L (68.7 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 388 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 388 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hanse 388 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Hanse 388 measures 11.40m (37.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.73m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Hanse 388 is 0.58m longer than the Hunter 356. The Hanse 388 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 388 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 63.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 356 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 388 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Hanse 388 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 388 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Hunter 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 388 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 356 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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Or view individual specs: Hanse 388 · Hunter 356