Beneteau First 29 vs Hunter 380 — Comparison
Hunter 380
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | Hunter 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2001–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and Hunter 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 380 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Hunter 380 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the Hunter 380 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Hunter 380 is 2.68m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The Hunter 380 displaces approximately 134% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 380, with an SA/D of 17.35 and 64.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Hunter 380 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 37.5% for the Hunter 380, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The Hunter 380 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 380 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 29 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 380 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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