1972 Islander 24 vs Beneteau First 20 — Comparison
1972 Islander 24
Beneteau First 20
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Islander 24 | Beneteau First 20 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Beneteau |
| Year | 1972–1977 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 5.90 m (19.4 ft) |
| LWL | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) | 5.39 m (17.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.36 m (7.7 ft) | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 660 kg (1,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 635 kg (1,400 lbs) | 165 kg (364 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 23.5 m² (253 ft²) | 19.5 m² (210 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Lifting |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 4 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 10 L (2.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 3 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Islander 24 and Beneteau First 20 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Islander 24 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Beneteau First 20 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1972 Islander 24 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Beneteau First 20 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1972 Islander 24 measures 7.32m (24.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.36m, compared to the Beneteau First 20 at 5.90m (19.4ft) with a 2.34m beam. The 1972 Islander 24 is 1.42m longer than the Beneteau First 20. The 1972 Islander 24 displaces approximately 141% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Islander 24 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 23.5 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 1972 Islander 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Beneteau First 20 has a comfort ratio of 10.6 and a capsize screening value of 1.08. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1972 Islander 24 and 25.0% for the Beneteau First 20, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Islander 24 provides 4 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 1972 Islander 24 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 1972 Islander 24 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.