1991 Hunter 33.5 vs Beneteau First 24 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1991 Hunter 33.5 | Beneteau First 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 1991–1996 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.7 m² (546 ft²) | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Shoal draft | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 6 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 20 L (5.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1991 Hunter 33.5 and Beneteau First 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1991 Hunter 33.5 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1991 Hunter 33.5 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The Beneteau First 24 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1991 Hunter 33.5 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Beneteau First 24 at 7.20m (23.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 1991 Hunter 33.5 is 2.86m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 1991 Hunter 33.5 displaces approximately 289% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1991 Hunter 33.5 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.65 and 50.7 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 24, with an SA/D of 21.93 and 27.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1991 Hunter 33.5 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Beneteau First 24 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1991 Hunter 33.5 and 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1991 Hunter 33.5 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Beneteau First 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 20L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1991 Hunter 33.5 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 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1991 Hunter 33.5 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: 1991 Hunter 33.5 · Beneteau First 24