1974 Tartan 27 vs Hunter 240 — Comparison
1974 Tartan 27
Hunter 240
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Tartan 27 | Hunter 240 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Tartan | Hunter |
| Year | 1974–1980 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 476 kg (1,049 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Tartan 27 and Hunter 240 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 Tartan 27 is a 1970s design by Tartan from USA, while the Hunter 240 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1974 Tartan 27 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The Hunter 240 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1974 Tartan 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the Hunter 240 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1974 Tartan 27 is 0.91m longer than the Hunter 240. The 1974 Tartan 27 displaces approximately 117% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 Tartan 27 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.56 and 33.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 240, with an SA/D of 18.62 and 22.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 240 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1974 Tartan 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Hunter 240 has a comfort ratio of 15.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.88. The ballast ratios are 46.2% for the 1974 Tartan 27 and 35.0% for the Hunter 240, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 Tartan 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Hunter 240 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1974 Tartan 27 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 240 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1974 Tartan 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: 1974 Tartan 27 · Hunter 240