1993 Beneteau First 42 vs Hanse 320 — Comparison
Hanse 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | Hanse 320 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and Hanse 320 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 320 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Hanse 320 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Hanse 320 at 9.92m (32.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 2.85m longer than the Hanse 320. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 92% 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 Hanse 320, with an SA/D of 16.90 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 Hanse 320 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 30.4% for the Hanse 320, 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 Hanse 320 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 90L 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 · Hanse 320