Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2020 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.28 m (40.3 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.78 m (35.4 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 70.2 m² (756 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 measures 12.28m (40.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is 1.46m longer than the Hunter 36. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 70.2 m² of sail area. The Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 36 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 36 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 40.1 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 40.1 · Hunter 36