1985 Freedom 21 vs Beneteau First 18 — Comparison
1985 Freedom 21
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Freedom 21 | Beneteau First 18 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Beneteau |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) |
| Draft | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 450 kg (992 lbs) |
| Ballast | 272 kg (600 lbs) | 100 kg (220 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Lifting |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 2 |
| Cabins | — | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Freedom 21 and Beneteau First 18 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Freedom 21 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the Beneteau First 18 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1985 Freedom 21 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The Beneteau First 18 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1985 Freedom 21 measures 6.40m (21.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Beneteau First 18 at 5.49m (18.0ft) with a 2.28m beam. The 1985 Freedom 21 is 0.91m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1985 Freedom 21 displaces approximately 61% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Freedom 21 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.52 and 16.3 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 18, with an SA/D of 27.71 and 16.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 18 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Freedom 21 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.95). The Beneteau First 18 has a comfort ratio of 8.8 and a capsize screening value of 1.19. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1985 Freedom 21 and 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Freedom 21 provides 2 berths with 15L of water capacity and 11L of fuel. The Beneteau First 18 offers 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1985 Freedom 21 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 18 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1985 Freedom 21 · Beneteau First 18