1963 Contessa 26 vs Hunter 27 — Comparison
Hunter 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1963 Contessa 26 | Hunter 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeremy Rogers | Hunter |
| Year | 1963–1980 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | USA |
| Designer | David Sadler | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.0 m² (280 ft²) | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1963 Contessa 26 and Hunter 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1963 Contessa 26 is a classic design by Jeremy Rogers from UK, while the Hunter 27 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1963 Contessa 26 was penned by David Sadler. The Hunter 27 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1963 Contessa 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.29m, compared to the Hunter 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Hunter 27 is 0.43m longer than the 1963 Contessa 26. The Hunter 27 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1963 Contessa 26 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.31 and 26.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 27, with an SA/D of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1963 Contessa 26 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 28.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Hunter 27 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 46.0% for the 1963 Contessa 26 and 36.4% for the Hunter 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1963 Contessa 26 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The Hunter 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1963 Contessa 26 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 27 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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Or view individual specs: 1963 Contessa 26 · Hunter 27