1978 Pearson 30 vs Hunter 27 — Comparison
1978 Pearson 30
Hunter 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Pearson 30 | Hunter 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hunter |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.3 m² (423 ft²) | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Pearson 30 and Hunter 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Pearson 30 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the Hunter 27 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1978 Pearson 30 was penned by William Shaw. The Hunter 27 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1978 Pearson 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hunter 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.79m beam. The 1978 Pearson 30 is 0.91m longer than the Hunter 27. The 1978 Pearson 30 displaces approximately 45% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Pearson 30 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.91 and 39.3 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 1978 Pearson 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Hunter 27 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 1978 Pearson 30 and 36.4% for the Hunter 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Pearson 30 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Hunter 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Pearson 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 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 1978 Pearson 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 Pearson 30 · Hunter 27