1996 Hunter 290 vs Beneteau First 24 — Comparison
1996 Hunter 290
Beneteau First 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Hunter 290 | Beneteau First 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 1996–2000 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,493 kg (7,701 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.9 m² (419 ft²) | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 6 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 20 L (5.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Hunter 290 and Beneteau First 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1996 Hunter 290 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1996 Hunter 290 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Beneteau First 24 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1996 Hunter 290 measures 8.84m (29.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Beneteau First 24 at 7.20m (23.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 1996 Hunter 290 is 1.64m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 1996 Hunter 290 displaces approximately 150% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Hunter 290 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 38.9 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 24, with an SA/D of 21.93 and 27.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Hunter 290 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Beneteau First 24 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 39.0% for the 1996 Hunter 290 and 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Hunter 290 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Beneteau First 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 20L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Hunter 290 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 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1996 Hunter 290 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.