1974 Catalina 27 vs Beneteau First 18 — Comparison
1974 Catalina 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 Catalina 27 | Beneteau First 18 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Beneteau |
| Year | 1974–1982 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,586 kg (5,701 lbs) | 450 kg (992 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 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 | 38 L (10.0 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 Catalina 27 and Beneteau First 18 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 Catalina 27 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the Beneteau First 18 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1974 Catalina 27 was penned by Frank Butler. The Beneteau First 18 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1974 Catalina 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Beneteau First 18 at 5.49m (18.0ft) with a 2.28m beam. The 1974 Catalina 27 is 2.74m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1974 Catalina 27 displaces approximately 475% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 Catalina 27 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.91 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 1974 Catalina 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Beneteau First 18 has a comfort ratio of 8.8 and a capsize screening value of 1.19. The ballast ratios are 40.3% for the 1974 Catalina 27 and 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 Catalina 27 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Beneteau First 18 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1974 Catalina 27 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 1974 Catalina 27 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: 1974 Catalina 27 · Beneteau First 18