1978 Catalina 25 vs Beneteau First 29 — Comparison
1978 Catalina 25
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Catalina 25 | Beneteau First 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Catalina | Beneteau |
| Year | 1978–1991 | 1995–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Frank Butler | Bruce Farr |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Ballast | 748 kg (1,649 lbs) | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.1 m² (281 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Catalina 25 and Beneteau First 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Catalina 25 is a 1970s design by Catalina from USA, while the Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1978 Catalina 25 was penned by Frank Butler. The Beneteau First 29 was designed by Bruce Farr.
In terms of size, the 1978 Catalina 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Beneteau First 29 at 8.90m (29.2ft) with a 2.95m beam. The Beneteau First 29 is 1.28m longer than the 1978 Catalina 25. The Beneteau First 29 displaces approximately 63% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Catalina 25 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 26.1 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 1978 Catalina 25 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Beneteau First 29 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 39.3% for the 1978 Catalina 25 and 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Catalina 25 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Beneteau First 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Catalina 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 29 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Catalina 25 · Beneteau First 29