Hunter 280 vs 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 — Comparison
Hunter 280
2013 Beneteau Figaro 3
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 280 | 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Beneteau |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) | 3,450 kg (7,606 lbs) |
| Ballast | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 280 and 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 280 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The Hunter 280 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 was designed by VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost.
In terms of size, the Hunter 280 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.82m, compared to the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 at 10.10m (33.1ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 is 1.57m longer than the Hunter 280. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 280 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.35 and 34.0 m² of sail area. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, with an SA/D of 28.93 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 280 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 has a comfort ratio of 11.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.90. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the Hunter 280 and 43.5% for the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 280 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 offers 2 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 280 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 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 280 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Hunter 280 · 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3