1970 Columbia 26 Mk II vs Beneteau First 20 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II | Beneteau First 20 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Beneteau |
| Year | 1970–1975 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Crealock | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 5.90 m (19.4 ft) |
| LWL | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) | 5.39 m (17.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 660 kg (1,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 165 kg (364 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.2 m² (282 ft²) | 19.5 m² (210 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Lifting |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 4 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 10 L (2.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 3 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and Beneteau First 20 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the Beneteau First 20 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II was penned by William Crealock. The Beneteau First 20 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Beneteau First 20 at 5.90m (19.4ft) with a 2.34m beam. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II is 2.02m longer than the Beneteau First 20. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II displaces approximately 189% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.33 and 26.2 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 20, with an SA/D of 26.16 and 19.5 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 20 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Beneteau First 20 has a comfort ratio of 10.6 and a capsize screening value of 1.08. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 25.0% for the Beneteau First 20, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The Beneteau First 20 offers 3 berths in 1 cabin with 10L water and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II 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 20 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II 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: 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II · Beneteau First 20