1979 Islander 36 vs Beneteau First 35 — Comparison
1979 Islander 36
Beneteau First 35
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Islander 36 | Beneteau First 35 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Beneteau |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.2 m² (583 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Islander 36 and Beneteau First 35 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Islander 36 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1979 Islander 36 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Beneteau First 35 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1979 Islander 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Beneteau First 35 at 10.68m (35.0ft) with a 3.45m beam. The 1979 Islander 36 is 0.29m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The 1979 Islander 36 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Islander 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.06 and 54.2 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 35, with an SA/D of 19.89 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Islander 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Beneteau First 35 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1979 Islander 36 and 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Islander 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Beneteau First 35 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Islander 36 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 35 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Islander 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.