Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2020 | 2000–2005 |
| 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) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 70.2 m² (756 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Hunter 356 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 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is 1.46m longer than the Hunter 356. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 displaces approximately 56% 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 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 356 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 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, 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 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 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 356 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 356