Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Hunter 280 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Hunter 280
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Hunter 280 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2017 | 1998–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Hunter 280 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 280 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Hunter 280 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
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 280 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.82m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 2.97m longer than the Hunter 280. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 177% 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 280, with an SA/D of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 280 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 280 has a comfort ratio of 16.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 38.6% for the Hunter 280, 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 280 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 280 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 Hunter 280 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 Oceanis 38.1 · Hunter 280