2003 Hunter 41 AC vs Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 — Comparison
2003 Hunter 41 AC
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Hunter 41 AC | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.2 m² (788 ft²) | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Shoal draft | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Hunter 41 AC and Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Hunter 41 AC is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2003 Hunter 41 AC was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 2003 Hunter 41 AC measures 12.50m (41.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 at 11.50m (37.7ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 2003 Hunter 41 AC is 1.00m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The 2003 Hunter 41 AC displaces approximately 27% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Hunter 41 AC has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 73.2 m² of sail area. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Hunter 41 AC offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.0% for the 2003 Hunter 41 AC and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Hunter 41 AC provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 303L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Hunter 41 AC 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 Oceanis 38.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Hunter 41 AC offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.