1985 Hunter 25.5 vs Beneteau First 20 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Hunter 25.5 | Beneteau First 20 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 1985–1992 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) | 5.90 m (19.4 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 5.39 m (17.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 660 kg (1,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) | 165 kg (364 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.7 m² (277 ft²) | 19.5 m² (210 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Lifting |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 4 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 10 L (2.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 3 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Hunter 25.5 and Beneteau First 20 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the Beneteau First 20 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Beneteau First 20 was designed by Sam Manuard.
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 20 at 5.90m (19.4ft) with a 2.34m beam. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 is 1.87m longer than the Beneteau First 20. The 1985 Hunter 25.5 displaces approximately 141% 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 20, with an SA/D of 26.16 and 19.5 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 20 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 20 has a comfort ratio of 10.6 and a capsize screening value of 1.08. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1985 Hunter 25.5 and 25.0% for the Beneteau First 20, 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 20 offers 3 berths in 1 cabin with 10L water and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Hunter 25.5 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 20 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Hunter 25.5 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1985 Hunter 25.5 · Beneteau First 20