1969 O'Day 22 vs Beneteau First 18 — Comparison
1969 O'Day 22
Beneteau First 18
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1969 O'Day 22 | Beneteau First 18 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Beneteau |
| Year | 1969–1983 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.72 m (18.8 ft) | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 450 kg (992 lbs) |
| Ballast | 318 kg (701 lbs) | 100 kg (220 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 17.7 m² (191 ft²) | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Lifting |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1969 O'Day 22 and Beneteau First 18 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1969 O'Day 22 is a classic design by O'Day from USA, while the Beneteau First 18 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1969 O'Day 22 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The Beneteau First 18 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1969 O'Day 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.29m, compared to the Beneteau First 18 at 5.49m (18.0ft) with a 2.28m beam. The 1969 O'Day 22 is 1.22m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1969 O'Day 22 displaces approximately 92% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1969 O'Day 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.87 and 17.7 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 18, with an SA/D of 27.71 and 16.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 18 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1969 O'Day 22 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.96). The Beneteau First 18 has a comfort ratio of 8.8 and a capsize screening value of 1.19. The ballast ratios are 36.9% for the 1969 O'Day 22 and 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1969 O'Day 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 19L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The Beneteau First 18 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1969 O'Day 22 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 18 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1969 O'Day 22 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.