1998 Hunter 340 vs Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 — Comparison
1998 Hunter 340
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Hunter 340 | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.02 m (29.6 ft) | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Hunter 340 and Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Hunter 340 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1998 Hunter 340 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1998 Hunter 340 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 at 11.50m (37.7ft) with a 3.72m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 1.14m longer than the 1998 Hunter 340. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 31% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Hunter 340 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Hunter 340 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1998 Hunter 340 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Hunter 340 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Hunter 340 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 Oceanis 38.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Hunter 340 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: 1998 Hunter 340 · Beneteau Oceanis 38.1