1985 Beneteau First 285 vs Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 9.53 m (31.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 4,300 kg (9,480 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 at 9.53m (31.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is 0.88m longer than the 1985 Beneteau First 285. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 displaces approximately 48% 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 Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, with an SA/D of 16.52 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 31.4% for the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 150L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 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: 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.