1985 Beneteau First 285 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is 1.03m longer than the Catalina 250. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 displaces approximately 83% 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 Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 250 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 Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, 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 Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Beneteau First 285 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 Catalina 250 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Beneteau First 285 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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