Beneteau First 33.7 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 33.7 measures 10.04m (32.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.32m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Beneteau First 33.7 is 0.79m longer than the Hunter 306. The Beneteau First 33.7 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 33.7 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.92 and 55.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 33.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 33.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 33.7 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 33.7 · Hunter 306