Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 vs Hunter 240 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
Hunter 240
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 | Hunter 240 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2019 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.53 m (31.3 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,300 kg (9,480 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) | 476 kg (1,049 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 and Hunter 240 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 240 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Hunter 240 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 240 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is 2.21m longer than the Hunter 240. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 displaces approximately 216% 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 240, with an SA/D of 18.62 and 22.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 240 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 240 has a comfort ratio of 15.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.88. The ballast ratios are 31.4% for the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 and 35.0% for the Hunter 240, 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 240 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L 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 240 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.