Beneteau First 30 vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Cal |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / 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 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Cal 39 is 2.75m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The 1979 Cal 39 displaces approximately 127% 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 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 30 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 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, 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 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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 30 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 Cal 39 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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