1996 Hunter 290 vs 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 1997–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.85 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.34 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 is a 1990s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1996 Hunter 290 measures 8.84m (29.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.34m beam. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 is 1.51m longer than the 1996 Hunter 290. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 displaces approximately 66% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Hunter 290 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 38.9 m² of sail area. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34, with an SA/D of 16.68 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1996 Hunter 290 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Hunter 290 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 41.4% for the 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Hunter 290 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34 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 1996 Hunter 290 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1996 Hunter 290 · 1997 Hallberg-Rassy 34