Beneteau First 14 vs Hunter 212 — Comparison
Beneteau First 14
Hunter 212
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 14 | Hunter 212 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2016 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 4.19 m (13.7 ft) | 6.35 m (20.8 ft) |
| LWL | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 5.56 m (18.2 ft) |
| Beam | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 2.26 m (7.4 ft) |
| Draft | 0.82 m (2.7 ft) | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 90 kg (198 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 18 kg (40 lbs) | 168 kg (370 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 8.8 m² (95 ft²) | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Daggerboard | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 4 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | — |
| Water Capacity | — | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | — | 3 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 14 and Hunter 212 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 14 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 212 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 14 was penned by Sam Manuard. The Hunter 212 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 14 measures 4.19m (13.7ft) overall with a beam of 1.75m, compared to the Hunter 212 at 6.35m (20.8ft) with a 2.26m beam. The Hunter 212 is 2.16m longer than the Beneteau First 14. The Hunter 212 displaces approximately 656% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 14 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 44.58 and 8.8 m² of sail area. The Hunter 212, with an SA/D of 21.04 and 16.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 14 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 14 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 4.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.56). The Hunter 212 has a comfort ratio of 10.5 and a capsize screening value of 1.03. The ballast ratios are 20.0% for the Beneteau First 14 and 24.7% for the Hunter 212, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 14 provides an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. The Hunter 212 offers 3 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 212 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 14 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.