Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2019 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.53 m (31.3 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,300 kg (9,480 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 measures 9.53m (31.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is 1.68m longer than the Hunter 260. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 displaces approximately 111% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.52 and 43.0 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 Hunter 260 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 31.4% for the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 150L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 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 260 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.