1978 Albin Ballad 30 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
1978 Albin Ballad 30
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Albin Ballad 30 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Albin | Hunter |
| Year | 1978–1984 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | USA |
| Designer | Rolf Magnusson | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.07 m (29.8 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.45 m (4.8 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,400 kg (7,496 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,450 kg (3,197 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.5 m² (414 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Albin Ballad 30 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Albin Ballad 30 is a 1970s design by Albin from Sweden, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1978 Albin Ballad 30 was penned by Rolf Magnusson. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 measures 9.07m (29.8ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Hunter 30 is 0.07m longer than the 1978 Albin Ballad 30. The Hunter 30 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.30 and 38.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1978 Albin Ballad 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.7% for the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Albin Ballad 30 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 60L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Albin Ballad 30 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 1978 Albin Ballad 30 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 30 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: 1978 Albin Ballad 30 · Hunter 30