1966 Islander 33 vs Beneteau First 24 — Comparison
1966 Islander 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1966 Islander 33 | Beneteau First 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Beneteau |
| Year | 1966–1974 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Joseph McGlasson | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 6 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 20 L (5.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1966 Islander 33 and Beneteau First 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1966 Islander 33 is a classic design by Islander from USA, while the Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1966 Islander 33 was penned by Joseph McGlasson. The Beneteau First 24 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1966 Islander 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Beneteau First 24 at 7.20m (23.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 1966 Islander 33 is 2.86m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 1966 Islander 33 displaces approximately 224% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1966 Islander 33 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.57 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 24, with an SA/D of 21.93 and 27.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1966 Islander 33 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Beneteau First 24 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1966 Islander 33 and 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1966 Islander 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Beneteau First 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 20L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1966 Islander 33 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 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1966 Islander 33 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: 1966 Islander 33 · Beneteau First 24