1985 Beneteau First 285 vs 1974 Morgan 33 — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
1974 Morgan 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | 1974 Morgan 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Morgan |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1974–1980 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Charlie Morgan |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 1974 Morgan 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1974 Morgan 33 is a 1970s offering from Morgan from USA. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1974 Morgan 33 was designed by Charlie Morgan.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1974 Morgan 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1974 Morgan 33 is 1.41m longer than the 1985 Beneteau First 285. The 1974 Morgan 33 displaces approximately 80% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.99 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 1974 Morgan 33, with an SA/D of 14.19 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1974 Morgan 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 39.1% for the 1974 Morgan 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1974 Morgan 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1974 Morgan 33 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 1985 Beneteau First 285 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.