Beneteau First 18 vs Hunter 170 — Comparison
Hunter 170
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 18 | Hunter 170 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2018 | 1996–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) |
| LWL | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) | 0.84 m (2.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 450 kg (992 lbs) | 295 kg (650 lbs) |
| Ballast | 100 kg (220 lbs) | 59 kg (130 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) | 11.2 m² (121 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity | — | — |
| Water Capacity | — | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 18 and Hunter 170 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 18 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 170 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 18 was penned by Sam Manuard. The Hunter 170 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 18 measures 5.49m (18.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.28m, compared to the Hunter 170 at 5.18m (17.0ft) with a 1.98m beam. The Beneteau First 18 is 0.31m longer than the Hunter 170. The Beneteau First 18 displaces approximately 53% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 18 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 27.71 and 16.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 170, with an SA/D of 25.70 and 11.2 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 18 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 18 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.19). The Hunter 170 has a comfort ratio of 8.1 and a capsize screening value of 1.19. The ballast ratios are 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18 and 20.0% for the Hunter 170, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 18 provides 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. The Hunter 170 offers an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 18 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 18 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.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 18 · Hunter 170