Beneteau First 20 vs Hunter 27 — Comparison
Hunter 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 20 | Hunter 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hunter |
| Year | 2014 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.90 m (19.4 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.39 m (17.7 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 660 kg (1,455 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 165 kg (364 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 19.5 m² (210 ft²) | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 10 L (2.6 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 20 and Hunter 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 20 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Hunter 27 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Beneteau First 20 was penned by Sam Manuard. The Hunter 27 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 20 measures 5.90m (19.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.34m, compared to the Hunter 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Hunter 27 is 2.33m longer than the Beneteau First 20. The Hunter 27 displaces approximately 278% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 20 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 26.16 and 19.5 m² of sail area. The Hunter 27, with an SA/D of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 20 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 20 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 10.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.08). The Hunter 27 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 25.0% for the Beneteau First 20 and 36.4% for the Hunter 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 20 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 10L of water capacity and unspecified fuel capacity. The Hunter 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 27 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 20 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 27 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 20 · Hunter 27