1985 Beneteau First 285 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Hunter 306 is 0.60m longer than the 1985 Beneteau First 285. The Hunter 306 displaces approximately 38% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.99 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 1985 Beneteau First 285 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1985 Beneteau First 285 · Hunter 306