1981 Pearson 303 vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hunter |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 303 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Hunter 36 is 1.68m longer than the 1981 Pearson 303. The Hunter 36 displaces approximately 53% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 303 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.45 and 39.8 m² of sail area. The Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 303 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 303 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 303 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 36 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 36 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: 1981 Pearson 303 · Hunter 36