1998 Hunter 340 vs 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 — Comparison
1998 Hunter 340
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Hunter 340 | 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 1988–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 40.5 m² (436 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Hunter 340 and 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Hunter 340 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The 1998 Hunter 340 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1998 Hunter 340 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1998 Hunter 340 is 0.91m longer than the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31. The 1998 Hunter 340 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Hunter 340 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31, with an SA/D of 14.09 and 40.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1998 Hunter 340 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Hunter 340 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 has a comfort ratio of 26.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1998 Hunter 340 and 43.6% for the 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Hunter 340 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31 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 1998 Hunter 340 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Hunter 340 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: 1998 Hunter 340 · 1988 Pacific Seacraft 31