Beneteau First 30 vs Hunter 212 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Hunter 212
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Hunter 212 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 6.35 m (20.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 5.56 m (18.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.26 m (7.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 168 kg (370 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 4 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 3 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Hunter 212 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 212 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 212 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 212 at 6.35m (20.8ft) with a 2.26m beam. The Beneteau First 30 is 2.79m longer than the Hunter 212. The Beneteau First 30 displaces approximately 429% 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 212, with an SA/D of 21.04 and 16.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 212 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 212 has a comfort ratio of 10.5 and a capsize screening value of 1.03. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 24.7% for the Hunter 212, 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 212 offers 3 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and unspecified fuel.
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 Hunter 212 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 212