1972 Morgan 34 vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
1972 Morgan 34
Beneteau First 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Morgan 34 | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Morgan | Beneteau |
| Year | 1972–1978 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Charley Morgan | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.2 m² (540 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Morgan 34 and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Morgan 34 is a 1970s design by Morgan from USA, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1972 Morgan 34 was penned by Charley Morgan. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1972 Morgan 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.25m, compared to the Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The 1972 Morgan 34 is 2.17m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 1972 Morgan 34 displaces approximately 146% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Morgan 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.63 and 50.2 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Morgan 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1972 Morgan 34 and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Morgan 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Morgan 34 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 27 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 Morgan 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.