1978 Cape Dory 25 vs Beneteau First 18 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Cape Dory 25 | Beneteau First 18 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Beneteau |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 450 kg (992 lbs) |
| Ballast | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 100 kg (220 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Lifting |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 2 |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Cape Dory 25 and Beneteau First 18 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the Beneteau First 18 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 was penned by Carl Alberg. The Beneteau First 18 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Beneteau First 18 at 5.49m (18.0ft) with a 2.28m beam. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 is 2.13m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1978 Cape Dory 25 displaces approximately 354% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.79 and 25.0 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 1978 Cape Dory 25 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Beneteau First 18 has a comfort ratio of 8.8 and a capsize screening value of 1.19. The ballast ratios are 42.2% for the 1978 Cape Dory 25 and 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Cape Dory 25 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Beneteau First 18 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 25 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 1978 Cape Dory 25 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: 1978 Cape Dory 25 · Beneteau First 18