1971 Ranger 26 vs Beneteau First 18 — Comparison
1971 Ranger 26
Beneteau First 18
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1971 Ranger 26 | Beneteau First 18 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ranger | Beneteau |
| Year | 1971–1976 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Gary Mull | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.62 m (8.6 ft) | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 450 kg (992 lbs) |
| Ballast | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) | 100 kg (220 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 29.5 m² (318 ft²) | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Lifting |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1971 Ranger 26 and Beneteau First 18 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1971 Ranger 26 is a 1970s design by Ranger from USA, while the Beneteau First 18 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1971 Ranger 26 was penned by Gary Mull. The Beneteau First 18 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1971 Ranger 26 measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.62m, compared to the Beneteau First 18 at 5.49m (18.0ft) with a 2.28m beam. The 1971 Ranger 26 is 2.43m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1971 Ranger 26 displaces approximately 384% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1971 Ranger 26 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.85 and 29.5 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 1971 Ranger 26 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Beneteau First 18 has a comfort ratio of 8.8 and a capsize screening value of 1.19. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1971 Ranger 26 and 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1971 Ranger 26 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 45L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Beneteau First 18 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1971 Ranger 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 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 1971 Ranger 26 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.