Beneteau First 24 vs Hanse 320 — Comparison
Hanse 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 24 | Hanse 320 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) |
| LWL | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 24 and Hanse 320 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 320 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 24 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hanse 320 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 24 measures 7.20m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the Hanse 320 at 9.92m (32.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The Hanse 320 is 2.72m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The Hanse 320 displaces approximately 229% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 24 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 21.93 and 27.0 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 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The Hanse 320 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24 and 30.4% for the Hanse 320, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L of water capacity and 20L 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 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 320 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 24 · Hanse 320