Hunter 260 vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 260 | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 260 and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 260 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The Hunter 260 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the Hunter 260 measures 7.85m (25.8ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is 2.59m longer than the Hunter 260. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 displaces approximately 172% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 260 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of sail area. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, with an SA/D of 16.53 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 260 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 260 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.87). The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.8% for the Hunter 260 and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 260 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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 Hunter 260 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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: Hunter 260 · 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34