Beneteau First 30 vs Hunter 33 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Hunter 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Hunter 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Hunter 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 33 is a 1980s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 33 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hunter 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Hunter 33 is 0.92m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Hunter 33 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 33, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Hunter 33 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 38.1% for the Hunter 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The Hunter 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 30 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 Beneteau First 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 30 · Hunter 33