I am looking at purchasing a new sailboat. I am a novice to this sport, I have looked at the Beneteau 381 and the Hunter 360-could someone off er some real life comparisons for me?
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They are both good
Scott, I am fairly new to sailing as well, but have sailed on both. I like both boats. I have talked with other more experienced sailors who felt that the Catalina and Hunter line were comparable, and the Beneteau was a step up. vernon
Scott, I am fairly new to sailing as well, but have sailed on both. I like both boats. I have talked with other more experienced sailors who felt that the Catalina and Hunter line were comparable, and the Beneteau was a step up. vernon
Boat comparison
A couple of days ago I was talking with a fiberglass repair specialist who was repairing some minor hull damage to a Hunter 40.5. He made the unsolicited comment comparing the Beneteau with the Hunter; in his opinion the Hunter was a better built and stonger boat.
A couple of days ago I was talking with a fiberglass repair specialist who was repairing some minor hull damage to a Hunter 40.5. He made the unsolicited comment comparing the Beneteau with the Hunter; in his opinion the Hunter was a better built and stonger boat.
Dave: This may be a first!
Dave: This may be a first! Someone actually said a Hunter was better than 'anything' else! Wow!
Dave: This may be a first! Someone actually said a Hunter was better than 'anything' else! Wow!
Hunter is the way to go
I have been a Hunter owner for 4 years and have nothing but great things to say about these boats. We have been to numerous boat shows and We feel the Beneteau has the worst quality workmanship and finishes of any boat at these shows.One small example, compare the teak floors on these two boats.We are always amazed each time we go aboard a Beneteau and can't believe they actually release their new boats with so many flaws and cheap materials used. Hunter also has great customer service.Have you looked at Bavaria's or Jeanneau?Jeanneau is owned by Beneteau but much better boat. Good luck, Go Hunter, you wont regret it. Matt McCoy
I have been a Hunter owner for 4 years and have nothing but great things to say about these boats. We have been to numerous boat shows and We feel the Beneteau has the worst quality workmanship and finishes of any boat at these shows.One small example, compare the teak floors on these two boats.We are always amazed each time we go aboard a Beneteau and can't believe they actually release their new boats with so many flaws and cheap materials used. Hunter also has great customer service.Have you looked at Bavaria's or Jeanneau?Jeanneau is owned by Beneteau but much better boat. Good luck, Go Hunter, you wont regret it. Matt McCoy
Check to basics
I compared and picked a Hunter for the following reasons: Lead keel vs. iron, deep sump versus canoe body with no sump, more hatches/better ventilation, better fittings and components (Yanmar engine, UK Sails, Harken Traveller, Selden Spars, Lewmar winches and hatches, better refrigeration), teak interior versus softer wood on Beneteau, better hull to deck seal. The boats are quite diffent in concept. The Benateau has a traditional rig with large genoa and a sexy looking dark Euro interior. Hunter has a B&R rig with larger main and smaller jib. I think both boats are are good values but I think that Hunter has made great strides improving their product. Suggest you take a factory tour and compare the details before you spend your money.
I compared and picked a Hunter for the following reasons: Lead keel vs. iron, deep sump versus canoe body with no sump, more hatches/better ventilation, better fittings and components (Yanmar engine, UK Sails, Harken Traveller, Selden Spars, Lewmar winches and hatches, better refrigeration), teak interior versus softer wood on Beneteau, better hull to deck seal. The boats are quite diffent in concept. The Benateau has a traditional rig with large genoa and a sexy looking dark Euro interior. Hunter has a B&R rig with larger main and smaller jib. I think both boats are are good values but I think that Hunter has made great strides improving their product. Suggest you take a factory tour and compare the details before you spend your money.
Here we go again
There have been numerous threads comparing Catalina, Beneteau and Hunter, and if you seach the archives you can find opinions for or against all three in terms of construction and design. In following this board for the last 3 years, Hunter has impressed me on their customer and post-sale support. Time and again people have reported how they have stood behind their product. For that reason I would recommend the Hunter to a fried who was new to the sport and wanted to buy a new boat. However, I am not criticizing Cat or Bene for the customer support; I am just unfamiliar with complaints or compliments about customer support from these companies. Whether these boats are best for you, or whether you should be buying a new boat for your first boat, are other subjects I would talk to a buddy about before recommending buying any boat.
There have been numerous threads comparing Catalina, Beneteau and Hunter, and if you seach the archives you can find opinions for or against all three in terms of construction and design. In following this board for the last 3 years, Hunter has impressed me on their customer and post-sale support. Time and again people have reported how they have stood behind their product. For that reason I would recommend the Hunter to a fried who was new to the sport and wanted to buy a new boat. However, I am not criticizing Cat or Bene for the customer support; I am just unfamiliar with complaints or compliments about customer support from these companies. Whether these boats are best for you, or whether you should be buying a new boat for your first boat, are other subjects I would talk to a buddy about before recommending buying any boat.
As far a customer support is concerned...
I was on the hard at Whitneys in Orange Park, Fl. last May and got to talking to some guys working on the adjacent boat. Turns out they had been sent up from the factory in Alachua to do the warrentied repair, and that's not the only time I've seen Hunter folks up at Whitneys. So Hunter certainly stands behind their product. Conversely, I checked out the 290 and 320 at the Jacksonville boat show last week. I didn't like the stays on the 290. I'm and BIG guy and with the B and R rig I had trouble moving forward of the mast (at dock!). On both boats I didn't like the Air Ports opening out onto the deck. I suspect they're going to be a maintance issue in years to come, not to mention shin knockers in the shot run.
I was on the hard at Whitneys in Orange Park, Fl. last May and got to talking to some guys working on the adjacent boat. Turns out they had been sent up from the factory in Alachua to do the warrentied repair, and that's not the only time I've seen Hunter folks up at Whitneys. So Hunter certainly stands behind their product. Conversely, I checked out the 290 and 320 at the Jacksonville boat show last week. I didn't like the stays on the 290. I'm and BIG guy and with the B and R rig I had trouble moving forward of the mast (at dock!). On both boats I didn't like the Air Ports opening out onto the deck. I suspect they're going to be a maintance issue in years to come, not to mention shin knockers in the shot run.
My 2 Cents Worth
First before I give my 2 cents worth I must confess I own a 99 Hunter 380. Before I bought the 380 I owned a 96 Hunter 280 with which we were very pleased, but out grew. We began shopping for our next boat, and looked at both the Hunter 380 and Beneteau 381 which my dealer had in stock. We need a boat we could coastal cruise in with me, my wife, and 10 & 12 year olds. We climbed aboard the Beneteau 381 which has the owners berth forward. We went forward and my wife and I actually got in the v-berth feet forward like we were sleeping. I then told my wife to get up and go to the bathroom without disturbing me, and it was impossible. We then put the kids in the aft berth and did the same thing. Again impossible to get out unless you sleep alone. That plus the gross cabin floors someone else already mentioned. The we went to the Hunter. Queen sized aft berth, no problme getting out, bigger head with seperate shower, real teak and holly cabin floor. Plus we were already happy with Hunter from our previous boat. The kicker, and what finally made the decision for us was Eddie Breedan and the Customer Service personnel at Hunter. They go so far overboard taking good care of their customers that much has been written here about them. Bebeteau has no customer service department, they refer you to your dealer, who you know sells boats for a living, and has already gotten your money, and moved on to the next sale. All in all it was a easy decision to make, and we bought the 380. We have never regretted it either. Would I like to have a Swan, or Hinckley, sure, but my mother had me without the silver spoon being part of my anatomy, and I wasn't smart enough to make 12 million per second like Bill Gates so the 380 was the perfect fit for my family. We have been all around Cape Cod, Marth's Vineyard, Nantucket, Newport, Block Island etc... and the 380 has proved up to every task. As the kids continue to grow we are again outgrowing the 380 and have begun to shop for the next boat. We sent away for info on the HC50 but there are none in the North east to look at, though we hear Hunter may finally bring one to Newport RI boat show this fall. We are also looking at more traditional cruisers in the 46-49 foot range for an extended east coast, bahamas, caribbean cruise from 9/2005 thru 2008, so we'll see what types of yachts meet our new circumstances. Sorry it took so long, more like $1.25 than 2 cents
)) Bob Knott H380 S/V Serenity Harwichport, MA
First before I give my 2 cents worth I must confess I own a 99 Hunter 380. Before I bought the 380 I owned a 96 Hunter 280 with which we were very pleased, but out grew. We began shopping for our next boat, and looked at both the Hunter 380 and Beneteau 381 which my dealer had in stock. We need a boat we could coastal cruise in with me, my wife, and 10 & 12 year olds. We climbed aboard the Beneteau 381 which has the owners berth forward. We went forward and my wife and I actually got in the v-berth feet forward like we were sleeping. I then told my wife to get up and go to the bathroom without disturbing me, and it was impossible. We then put the kids in the aft berth and did the same thing. Again impossible to get out unless you sleep alone. That plus the gross cabin floors someone else already mentioned. The we went to the Hunter. Queen sized aft berth, no problme getting out, bigger head with seperate shower, real teak and holly cabin floor. Plus we were already happy with Hunter from our previous boat. The kicker, and what finally made the decision for us was Eddie Breedan and the Customer Service personnel at Hunter. They go so far overboard taking good care of their customers that much has been written here about them. Bebeteau has no customer service department, they refer you to your dealer, who you know sells boats for a living, and has already gotten your money, and moved on to the next sale. All in all it was a easy decision to make, and we bought the 380. We have never regretted it either. Would I like to have a Swan, or Hinckley, sure, but my mother had me without the silver spoon being part of my anatomy, and I wasn't smart enough to make 12 million per second like Bill Gates so the 380 was the perfect fit for my family. We have been all around Cape Cod, Marth's Vineyard, Nantucket, Newport, Block Island etc... and the 380 has proved up to every task. As the kids continue to grow we are again outgrowing the 380 and have begun to shop for the next boat. We sent away for info on the HC50 but there are none in the North east to look at, though we hear Hunter may finally bring one to Newport RI boat show this fall. We are also looking at more traditional cruisers in the 46-49 foot range for an extended east coast, bahamas, caribbean cruise from 9/2005 thru 2008, so we'll see what types of yachts meet our new circumstances. Sorry it took so long, more like $1.25 than 2 cents
)) Bob Knott H380 S/V Serenity Harwichport, MA- Status