Beneteau First 40 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 2.91m longer than the Hunter 306. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 40 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 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 40 · Hunter 306