Beneteau First 30 vs Hunter 280 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Hunter 280 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1998–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Hunter 280 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 280 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 280 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hunter 280 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.82m beam. The Beneteau First 30 is 0.61m longer than the Hunter 280. The Beneteau First 30 displaces approximately 39% 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 280, with an SA/D of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 280 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 280 has a comfort ratio of 16.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 38.6% for the Hunter 280, 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 280 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L 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 Hunter 280 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 30 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.