1963 Contessa 26 vs Beneteau First 29 — Comparison
1963 Contessa 26
Beneteau First 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1963 Contessa 26 | Beneteau First 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeremy Rogers | Beneteau |
| Year | 1963–1980 | 1995–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | France |
| Designer | David Sadler | Bruce Farr |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.0 m² (280 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1963 Contessa 26 and Beneteau First 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1963 Contessa 26 is a classic design by Jeremy Rogers from UK, while the Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1963 Contessa 26 was penned by David Sadler. The Beneteau First 29 was designed by Bruce Farr.
In terms of size, the 1963 Contessa 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.29m, compared to the Beneteau First 29 at 8.90m (29.2ft) with a 2.95m beam. The Beneteau First 29 is 1.10m longer than the 1963 Contessa 26. The Beneteau First 29 displaces approximately 37% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1963 Contessa 26 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.31 and 26.0 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 29, with an SA/D of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1963 Contessa 26 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 28.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Beneteau First 29 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 46.0% for the 1963 Contessa 26 and 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1963 Contessa 26 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The Beneteau First 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1963 Contessa 26 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 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 29 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.