Beneteau First 36.7 vs Hanse 320 — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
Hanse 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | Hanse 320 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and Hanse 320 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 320 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hanse 320 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 36.7 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.58m, compared to the Hanse 320 at 9.92m (32.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The Beneteau First 36.7 is 1.33m longer than the Hanse 320. The Beneteau First 36.7 displaces approximately 26% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.46 and 65.0 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 36.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Hanse 320 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 30.4% for the Hanse 320, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 36.7 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L 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 36.7 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 36.7 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.