Beneteau First 20 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 20 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2014 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.90 m (19.4 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 5.39 m (17.7 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 660 kg (1,455 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 165 kg (364 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 19.5 m² (210 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 10 L (2.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 20 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 20 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 20 was penned by Sam Manuard. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 20 measures 5.90m (19.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.34m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Hunter 260 is 1.95m longer than the Beneteau First 20. The Hunter 260 displaces approximately 209% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 20 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 26.16 and 19.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 20 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 20 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 10.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.08). The Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 25.0% for the Beneteau First 20 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 20 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 10L of water capacity and unspecified fuel capacity. The Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 260 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 20 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 260 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 20 · Hunter 260