Beneteau First 29 vs Hunter 240 — Comparison
Hunter 240
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | Hunter 240 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 476 kg (1,049 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 22.5 m² (242 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 8 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and Hunter 240 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 240 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Hunter 240 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the Hunter 240 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The Beneteau First 29 is 1.58m longer than the Hunter 240. The Beneteau First 29 displaces approximately 128% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 240, with an SA/D of 18.62 and 22.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Hunter 240 has a comfort ratio of 15.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.88. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 35.0% for the Hunter 240, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The Hunter 240 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 29 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 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 29 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: Beneteau First 29 · Hunter 240