1985 Hunter 25.5 vs Beneteau First 29 — Comparison
1985 Hunter 25.5
Beneteau First 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Hunter 25.5 | Beneteau First 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 1995–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Bruce Farr |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Ballast | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.7 m² (277 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Hunter 25.5 and Beneteau First 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Beneteau First 29 was designed by Bruce Farr.
In terms of size, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 measures 7.77m (25.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Beneteau First 29 at 8.90m (29.2ft) with a 2.95m beam. The Beneteau First 29 is 1.13m longer than the 1985 Hunter 25.5. The Beneteau First 29 displaces approximately 95% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.19 and 25.7 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 29, with an SA/D of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The Beneteau First 29 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1985 Hunter 25.5 and 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Beneteau First 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 29 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 1985 Hunter 25.5 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.