1975 Cape Dory 28 vs Hunter 185 — Comparison
Hunter 185
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Cape Dory 28 | Hunter 185 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Hunter |
| Year | 1975–1983 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 5.54 m (18.2 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 4.95 m (16.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 408 kg (899 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 82 kg (181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) | 13.0 m² (140 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Cape Dory 28 and Hunter 185 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Cape Dory 28 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the Hunter 185 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1975 Cape Dory 28 was penned by Carl Alberg. The Hunter 185 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1975 Cape Dory 28 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, compared to the Hunter 185 at 5.54m (18.2ft) with a 2.13m beam. The 1975 Cape Dory 28 is 2.99m longer than the Hunter 185. The 1975 Cape Dory 28 displaces approximately 678% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Cape Dory 28 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.76 and 33.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 185, with an SA/D of 24.03 and 13.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 185 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Cape Dory 28 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The Hunter 185 has a comfort ratio of 8.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.15. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1975 Cape Dory 28 and 20.1% for the Hunter 185, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Cape Dory 28 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The Hunter 185 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Cape Dory 28 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 185 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1975 Cape Dory 28 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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