1990 Beneteau First 235 vs Hunter 30 — Comparison
1990 Beneteau First 235
Hunter 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Beneteau First 235 | Hunter 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1990–1996 | 1991–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.18 m (23.6 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 567 kg (1,250 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) | 41.0 m² (441 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Beneteau First 235 and Hunter 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 30 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hunter 30 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 measures 7.18m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the Hunter 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Hunter 30 is 1.96m longer than the 1990 Beneteau First 235. The Hunter 30 displaces approximately 158% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.64 and 24.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 30, with an SA/D of 16.94 and 41.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.88). The Hunter 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 41.2% for the Hunter 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L of water capacity and 20L of fuel. The Hunter 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 30 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 1990 Beneteau First 235 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 30 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: 1990 Beneteau First 235 · Hunter 30