Beneteau First 27 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 306 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 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Hunter 306 is 1.06m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The Hunter 306 displaces approximately 66% 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 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 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 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 306 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 306