Beneteau First 30 vs 1974 O'Day 23 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
1974 O'Day 23
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | 1974 O'Day 23 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | O'Day |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1974–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 6.93 m (22.7 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 295 kg (650 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 5 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 11 L (2.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and 1974 O'Day 23 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1974 O'Day 23 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1974 O'Day 23 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1974 O'Day 23 at 6.93m (22.7ft) with a 2.24m beam. The Beneteau First 30 is 2.21m longer than the 1974 O'Day 23. The Beneteau First 30 displaces approximately 341% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The 1974 O'Day 23, with an SA/D of 20.38 and 17.5 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 1974 O'Day 23 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1974 O'Day 23 has a comfort ratio of 11.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.96. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 36.2% for the 1974 O'Day 23, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The 1974 O'Day 23 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and 11L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 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 1974 O'Day 23 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 30 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.