Beneteau First 33.7 vs Hanse 342 — Comparison
Hanse 342
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | Hanse 342 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and Hanse 342 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 342 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hanse 342 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 342 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Hanse 342 is 0.26m longer than the Beneteau First 33.7. The Hanse 342 displaces approximately 13% 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 342, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 52.0 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 Hanse 342 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 31.1% for the Hanse 342, 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 342 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 342 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 · Hanse 342