The Hunter 335 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 28.9′, the Hunter 335 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.9′ LWL = 7.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.2%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
207
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
23.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.99
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
23.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.99
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Hunter 335 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Cs 34
132s/nm
Hunter 336
162s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.9 kts),
SA/D (16.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Hunter 335 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Hunter 335.
|
Hunter 335 |
Bavaria 320 |
Cs 34 |
Dehler 34 2 |
Hunter 336 |
Parker 335 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
33.5 |
33.4 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
33.5 |
| LWL |
28.9 |
27.8 |
27.7 |
30.5 |
28.6 |
28.6 |
| Beam |
11.8 |
10.5 |
11.3 |
10.5 |
11.7 |
10.6 |
| Displacement |
11 |
8 |
10 |
9 |
11 |
9 |
| Ballast |
4 |
3 |
— |
3 |
4 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
530 |
416 |
533 |
609 |
573 |
570 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
132 |
— |
162 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.9 |
16.5 |
17.9 |
21.2 |
18.6 |
20.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
40.2 |
37.8 |
— |
37.8 |
37.2 |
— |
| Comfort |
23.9 |
18.7 |
22.0 |
21.3 |
21.5 |
21.0 |
| Capsize |
1.99 |
2.09 |
2.06 |
1.96 |
2.10 |
2.01 |
| Hull Speed |
6.9 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
7.4 |
7.2 |
7.2 |