Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2017 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 2.36m longer than the Hunter 30. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 85% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 30 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 Oceanis 38.1 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.