1972 Morgan 34 vs Beneteau First 40 — Comparison
1972 Morgan 34
Beneteau First 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Morgan 34 | Beneteau First 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Morgan | Beneteau |
| Year | 1972–1978 | 2006–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Charley Morgan | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.2 m² (540 ft²) | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Morgan 34 and Beneteau First 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Morgan 34 is a 1970s design by Morgan from USA, while the Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1972 Morgan 34 was penned by Charley Morgan. The Beneteau First 40 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
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 40 at 12.16m (39.9ft) with a 3.80m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 1.80m longer than the 1972 Morgan 34. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 19% 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 40, with an SA/D of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 40 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 40 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1972 Morgan 34 and 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40, 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 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L water and 150L 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 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.