1993 Beneteau First 42 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 1.95m longer than the Hunter 356. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 63% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 76.3 m² of sail area. The Hunter 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Hunter 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Hunter 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Beneteau First 42 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1993 Beneteau First 42 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: 1993 Beneteau First 42 · Hunter 356