1985 Beneteau First 285 vs 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nonsuch |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1986–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Other |
| Country | France | Canada |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Mark Ellis |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| 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 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra is a 1980s offering from Nonsuch from Canada. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra was designed by Mark Ellis.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra is 0.49m longer than the 1985 Beneteau First 285. The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra displaces approximately 56% 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 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra, with an SA/D of 14.46 and 39.0 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 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra has a comfort ratio of 19.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 40.0% for the 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra, 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 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 114L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Nonsuch 30 Ultra 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.