2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2010–2014 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot-Conq | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.17 m (43.2 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.17 m (13.7 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 54 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 was penned by Groupe Finot-Conq. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 measures 13.17m (43.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.17m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 is 2.35m longer than the Hunter 356. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 80.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Hunter 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 31.6% for the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Hunter 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 356 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 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 43 · Hunter 356