Hunter or Beneteau?

[Mark]

I am looking at my first real boat and I like the size and accomodations of the Hunter and Beneteau 34. From what I read the Beneteau will give me better handling and performance, but is a little pricier, Can anyone offer any information to help with my decision?Moleary@tayloroilco.com

 

[Ken]

Try this

Find a charter that offers both boats and charter them for several days. Pick the one you like best. Both are good boats although the newer Hunters have (older Hunters have steel) lead keels and all the Beneteau have steel. Something to think about at haul out time.

 

[Steve Dion]

Bavaria and Catalina too.

Mark:I would look at the Bavaria and Catalina too. The Bavaria is a very good sailing boat and they have some very nice features. Some folks in our harbor have a Bavaria 35 and the boat is to die for.I would get the brochures on all of the boats in you size/price range and analyze them. Then go to the boat shows and get aboard each of these boats. Look at storage, layout, hardware, engines, materials and all of the features that each of these manufactures provide. Once you actually narrow it down to one or two boats you can start asking owners of the specific models what they like and dislike about each boat.

 

[Terry]

Hi Mark, Ken and Steve have good suggestions

We went through the same process four years ago when we bought our first sail boat, an H28. Must have looked at 50 boats; new, used. Cruised the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands for three years then upgraded to a larger Hunter. We kept coming back to Hunter for value, design, reputation, quality, layout, etc. No regrets.Terry