1985 Hunter 25.5 vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Hunter 25.5 | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.7 m² (277 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Hunter 25.5 and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 measures 7.77m (25.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Beneteau First 27 is 0.42m longer than the 1985 Hunter 25.5. The Beneteau First 27 displaces approximately 51% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.19 and 25.7 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1985 Hunter 25.5 and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Hunter 25.5 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 27 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 27 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 Hunter 25.5 · Beneteau First 27