Beneteau First 35 vs Hanse 342 — Comparison
Hanse 342
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | Hanse 342 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and Hanse 342 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 342 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hanse 342 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Hanse 342 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Beneteau First 35 is 0.38m longer than the Hanse 342. The Beneteau First 35 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 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 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hanse 342 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 31.1% for the Hanse 342, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L 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 35 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 35 · Hanse 342