1993 Beneteau First 42 vs Hanse 342 — Comparison
Hanse 342
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | Hanse 342 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and Hanse 342 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 342 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Hanse 342 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 342 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 2.47m longer than the Hanse 342. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 67% 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 342, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 52.0 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 Hanse 342 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 31.1% for the Hanse 342, 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 342 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L 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 342