Beneteau First 30 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Beneteau First 30 is 1.29m longer than the Hunter 260. The Beneteau First 30 displaces approximately 76% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 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 Beneteau First 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 30 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 30 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 First 30 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 First 30 · Hunter 260