Beneteau First 33.7 vs Hanse 320 — Comparison
Beneteau First 33.7
Hanse 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | Hanse 320 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and Hanse 320 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 320 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hanse 320 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 33.7 measures 10.04m (32.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.32m, compared to the Hanse 320 at 9.92m (32.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The Beneteau First 33.7 is 0.12m longer than the Hanse 320. The Beneteau First 33.7 displaces approximately 2% 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 Hanse 320, with an SA/D of 16.90 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 Hanse 320 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 30.4% for the Hanse 320, 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 Hanse 320 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 320 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.