Hunter 185 vs Hunter 280 — Comparison
Hunter 185
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 185 | Hunter 280 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Hunter |
| Year | 2000–2007 | 1998–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.54 m (18.2 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 4.95 m (16.2 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 408 kg (899 lbs) | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) |
| Ballast | 82 kg (181 lbs) | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 13.0 m² (140 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 5 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 185 and Hunter 280 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 185 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the Hunter 280 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hunter 185 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Hunter 280 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Hunter 185 measures 5.54m (18.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Hunter 280 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.82m beam. The Hunter 280 is 2.99m longer than the Hunter 185. The Hunter 280 displaces approximately 534% 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 Hunter 280, with an SA/D of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Hunter 280 has a comfort ratio of 16.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 20.1% for the Hunter 185 and 38.6% for the Hunter 280, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 185 provides 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. The Hunter 280 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 280 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 Hunter 280 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 · Hunter 280