1987 Beneteau First 345 vs Catalina 28 — Comparison
1987 Beneteau First 345
Catalina 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | Catalina 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and Catalina 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 28 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 28 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Catalina 28 at 8.69m (28.5ft) with a 2.90m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is 1.76m longer than the Catalina 28. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 displaces approximately 94% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 28, with an SA/D of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Catalina 28 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 40.3% for the Catalina 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Catalina 28 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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 1987 Beneteau First 345 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.