Beneteau First 30 vs 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1980–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.54 m (8.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 23.5 m² (253 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 3 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.54m beam. The Beneteau First 30 is 1.82m longer than the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24. The Beneteau First 30 displaces approximately 44% 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 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, with an SA/D of 12.98 and 23.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 has a comfort ratio of 28.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 41.8% for the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 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 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 offers 3 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 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 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.