1996 Hunter 290 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Hunter 306 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 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Hunter 306 is 0.41m longer than the 1996 Hunter 290. The Hunter 306 displaces approximately 14% 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 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 306 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 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L 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 306 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1996 Hunter 290 · Hunter 306