Hunter 306 vs 1990 Valiant 39 — Comparison
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 306 | 1990 Valiant 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Valiant |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 1990–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 3,447 kg (7,599 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 306 and 1990 Valiant 39 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The Hunter 306 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1990 Valiant 39 is a 1990s offering from Valiant from USA. The Hunter 306 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1990 Valiant 39 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Hunter 306 measures 9.25m (30.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 1990 Valiant 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1990 Valiant 39 is 2.64m longer than the Hunter 306. The 1990 Valiant 39 displaces approximately 116% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 306 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of sail area. The 1990 Valiant 39, with an SA/D of 15.95 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 306 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 306 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1990 Valiant 39 has a comfort ratio of 23.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the Hunter 306 and 40.0% for the 1990 Valiant 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 306 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1990 Valiant 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 170L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Valiant 39 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: The 1990 Valiant 39 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 306 · 1990 Valiant 39