Beneteau First 30 vs 1978 C&C 24 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
1978 C&C 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | 1978 C&C 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Canada |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and 1978 C&C 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1978 C&C 24 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1978 C&C 24 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1978 C&C 24 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The Beneteau First 30 is 1.82m longer than the 1978 C&C 24. The Beneteau First 30 displaces approximately 140% 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 1978 C&C 24, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 24.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1978 C&C 24 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 1978 C&C 24 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.85. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 40.9% for the 1978 C&C 24, 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 1978 C&C 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L 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 1978 C&C 24 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.
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