Hunter 306 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
Hunter 306
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 306 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Westerly |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 306 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 306 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The Hunter 306 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Hunter 306 measures 9.25m (30.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk is 1.11m longer than the Hunter 306. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 53% 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the Hunter 306 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 · 1991 Westerly Seahawk