1987 Beneteau First 38 vs 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s offering from Wauquiez from France. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur at 10.21m (33.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is 1.37m longer than the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 47.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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 38 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 38 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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Or view individual specs: 1987 Beneteau First 38 · 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur