Hunter 306 vs 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 — Comparison
Hunter 306
2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 306 | 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) | 11.35 m (37.2 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 9.93 m (32.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) | 6,680 kg (14,727 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) | 59.0 m² (635 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 306 and 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 306 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The Hunter 306 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the Hunter 306 measures 9.25m (30.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 at 11.35m (37.2ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 is 2.10m longer than the Hunter 306. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 displaces approximately 67% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 306 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37, with an SA/D of 16.90 and 59.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hunter 306 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 306 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the Hunter 306 and 29.9% for the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 306 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 306 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 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 306 · 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37