Hunter 280 vs 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur — Comparison
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 280 | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 280 and 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 280 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s offering from Wauquiez from France. The Hunter 280 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the Hunter 280 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.82m, compared to the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur at 10.21m (33.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is 1.68m longer than the Hunter 280. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur displaces approximately 111% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 280 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 47.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 280 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 280 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the Hunter 280 and 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 280 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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 280 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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: Hunter 280 · 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur