1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 1995–2001 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.5 m² (479 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 was penned by Groupe Finot. The Hunter 356 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.27m, compared to the Hunter 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Hunter 356 is 1.14m longer than the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321. The Hunter 356 displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 44.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 356 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Hunter 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The Hunter 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 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 Hunter 356 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 · Hunter 356