1996 Hunter 290 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1996 Hunter 290 measures 8.84m (29.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1996 Hunter 290 is 0.99m longer than the Hunter 260. The 1996 Hunter 290 displaces approximately 71% 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 Hunter 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 260 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 Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, 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 Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Hunter 290 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 260 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1996 Hunter 290 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1996 Hunter 290 · Hunter 260