1987 Beneteau First 345 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Hunter 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is 1.20m longer than the Hunter 306. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 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 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hunter 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Hunter 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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: 1987 Beneteau First 345 · Hunter 306