Beneteau First 30 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ericson |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 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 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1984 Ericson 38 is 2.44m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The 1984 Ericson 38 displaces approximately 108% 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 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 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 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, 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 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 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 1984 Ericson 38 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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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 30 · 1984 Ericson 38