1973 Islander 37 vs Beneteau First 29 — Comparison
1973 Islander 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Islander 37 | Beneteau First 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Beneteau |
| Year | 1973–1978 | 1995–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Bruce Farr |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) |
| LWL | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Islander 37 and Beneteau First 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Islander 37 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1973 Islander 37 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Beneteau First 29 was designed by Bruce Farr.
In terms of size, the 1973 Islander 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Beneteau First 29 at 8.90m (29.2ft) with a 2.95m beam. The 1973 Islander 37 is 2.38m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1973 Islander 37 displaces approximately 112% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Islander 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.77 and 54.5 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 29, with an SA/D of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Islander 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Beneteau First 29 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 1973 Islander 37 and 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Islander 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Beneteau First 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Islander 37 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 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1973 Islander 37 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: 1973 Islander 37 · Beneteau First 29