1977 Cape Dory 22 vs Beneteau First 14 — Comparison
1977 Cape Dory 22
Beneteau First 14
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Cape Dory 22 | Beneteau First 14 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Beneteau |
| Year | 1977–1983 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 4.19 m (13.7 ft) |
| LWL | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Draft | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) | 0.82 m (2.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 90 kg (198 lbs) |
| Ballast | 454 kg (1,001 lbs) | 18 kg (40 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.2 m² (196 ft²) | 8.8 m² (95 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Daggerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | — |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Cape Dory 22 and Beneteau First 14 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Cape Dory 22 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the Beneteau First 14 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1977 Cape Dory 22 was penned by Carl Alberg. The Beneteau First 14 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Beneteau First 14 at 4.19m (13.7ft) with a 1.75m beam. The 1977 Cape Dory 22 is 2.52m longer than the Beneteau First 14. The 1977 Cape Dory 22 displaces approximately 1110% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.48 and 18.2 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 14, with an SA/D of 44.58 and 8.8 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 14 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The Beneteau First 14 has a comfort ratio of 4.2 and a capsize screening value of 1.56. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1977 Cape Dory 22 and 20.0% for the Beneteau First 14, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 19L of fuel. The Beneteau First 14 offers an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cape Dory 22 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 14 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.