Hunter 36 vs 1972 Ericson 32 — Comparison
Hunter 36
1972 Ericson 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 36 | 1972 Ericson 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Ericson |
| Year | 1996–2001 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 36 and 1972 Ericson 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 36 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1972 Ericson 32 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Hunter 36 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1972 Ericson 32 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Hunter 36 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the 1972 Ericson 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Hunter 36 is 1.07m longer than the 1972 Ericson 32. The Hunter 36 displaces approximately 37% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 36 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of sail area. The 1972 Ericson 32, with an SA/D of 14.97 and 39.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Hunter 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 36 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1972 Ericson 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 39.2% for the Hunter 36 and 42.1% for the 1972 Ericson 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 36 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The 1972 Ericson 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Ericson 32 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: 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: Hunter 36 · 1972 Ericson 32