1987 Beneteau First 38 vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is 0.76m longer than the Hunter 36. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 displaces approximately 19% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 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 38 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 38 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 38 · Hunter 36