1979 Tartan 30 vs Beneteau First 33.7 — Comparison
1979 Tartan 30
Beneteau First 33.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Tartan 30 | Beneteau First 33.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Tartan | Beneteau |
| Year | 1979–1984 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 38.6 m² (416 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Tartan 30 and Beneteau First 33.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Tartan 30 is a 1970s design by Tartan from USA, while the Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1979 Tartan 30 was penned by Sparkman & Stephens. The Beneteau First 33.7 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1979 Tartan 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Beneteau First 33.7 at 10.04m (32.9ft) with a 3.32m beam. The Beneteau First 33.7 is 0.90m longer than the 1979 Tartan 30. The Beneteau First 33.7 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Tartan 30 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.36 and 38.6 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 33.7, with an SA/D of 19.92 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 33.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Tartan 30 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Beneteau First 33.7 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1979 Tartan 30 and 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Tartan 30 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Beneteau First 33.7 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Tartan 30 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 33.7 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.