Beneteau First 30 vs Catalina 385 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Catalina 385 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 242 L (63.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Catalina 385 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 385 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 385 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 385 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Catalina 385 is 2.59m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Catalina 385 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 Catalina 385, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.0 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 Catalina 385 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 38.9% for the Catalina 385, 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 385 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 242L water and 114L 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 385 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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