Beneteau First 27 vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Hunter 36 is 2.63m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The Hunter 36 displaces approximately 146% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 36 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 27 · Hunter 36