The Hunter 356 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Hunter 356

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 35'6" (10.8m)

Waterline Length: 30'7" (9.3m)

Beam: 12'0" (3.7m)

Draft: 6'5" (2.0m)

Rig Type: B&R 

Displacement: 13,900lb (6,305kg)

Designer: Glenn Henderson

Builder: Hunter Marine (USA)

Year First Built: 2000

Number Built: 500

Published Design Ratios for the Hunter 356

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 20.0

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 36.1

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 217

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 24.5

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Hunter 356

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.0 suggests that the Hunter 356 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 36.1 means that a sailboat like the Hunter 356 (which doesn't have a stiffness-enhancing bulb keel), is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 217, tells us the Hunter 356 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 24.5 suggests that crew comfort of a Hunter 356 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula of 2.0 tells us that a Hunter 356 would not be as good a choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making, owing to the increased risk of capsize in strong winds and heavy seas when compared to a sailboat with a CSF of less than 2.0.