2001 Hunter 216 vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
2001 Hunter 216
Beneteau First 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2001 Hunter 216 | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 2001–2008 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.50 m (21.3 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 5.64 m (18.5 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 340 kg (750 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2001 Hunter 216 and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2001 Hunter 216 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 2001 Hunter 216 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 2001 Hunter 216 measures 6.50m (21.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.34m, compared to the Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Beneteau First 27 is 1.69m longer than the 2001 Hunter 216. The Beneteau First 27 displaces approximately 165% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2001 Hunter 216 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.99 and 17.5 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2001 Hunter 216 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.97). The Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 2001 Hunter 216 and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2001 Hunter 216 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 19L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 27 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 27 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.