Hunter 185 vs 1982 Freedom 28 — Comparison
Hunter 185
1982 Freedom 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 185 | 1982 Freedom 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Freedom |
| Year | 2000–2007 | 1982–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.54 m (18.2 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 4.95 m (16.2 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 408 kg (899 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 82 kg (181 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 13.0 m² (140 ft²) | 29.0 m² (312 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 5 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 185 and 1982 Freedom 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 185 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1982 Freedom 28 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The Hunter 185 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1982 Freedom 28 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the Hunter 185 measures 5.54m (18.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the 1982 Freedom 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1982 Freedom 28 is 2.99m longer than the Hunter 185. The 1982 Freedom 28 displaces approximately 512% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 185 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 24.03 and 13.0 m² of sail area. The 1982 Freedom 28, with an SA/D of 16.02 and 29.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 185 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 185 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.15). The 1982 Freedom 28 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.84. The ballast ratios are 20.1% for the Hunter 185 and 36.4% for the 1982 Freedom 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 185 provides 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. The 1982 Freedom 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Freedom 28 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 185 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1982 Freedom 28 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 185 · 1982 Freedom 28