1985 Freedom 21 vs Hunter 240 — Comparison
1985 Freedom 21
Hunter 240
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Freedom 21 | Hunter 240 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Hunter |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 272 kg (600 lbs) | 476 kg (1,049 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Freedom 21 and Hunter 240 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Freedom 21 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the Hunter 240 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1985 Freedom 21 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The Hunter 240 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1985 Freedom 21 measures 6.40m (21.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Hunter 240 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The Hunter 240 is 0.92m longer than the 1985 Freedom 21. The Hunter 240 displaces approximately 87% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Freedom 21 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.52 and 16.3 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 1985 Freedom 21 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Freedom 21 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.95). The Hunter 240 has a comfort ratio of 15.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.88. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1985 Freedom 21 and 35.0% for the Hunter 240, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Freedom 21 provides 2 berths with 15L of water capacity and 11L of fuel. The Hunter 240 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 240 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 1985 Freedom 21 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 240 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: 1985 Freedom 21 · Hunter 240