Beneteau First 30 vs Catalina 36 MkII — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Catalina 36 MkII
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Catalina 36 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1999–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Catalina 36 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 36 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Catalina 36 MkII at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 1.83m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 83% 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 Catalina 36 MkII, with an SA/D of 16.35 and 56.5 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 Catalina 36 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII, 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 Catalina 36 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 95L 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 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 Catalina 36 MkII offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.