1990 Beneteau First 235 vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
1990 Beneteau First 235
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Beneteau First 235 | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ericson |
| Year | 1990–1996 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.18 m (23.6 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 567 kg (1,250 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 measures 7.18m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1976 Ericson 29 is 1.66m longer than the 1990 Beneteau First 235. The 1976 Ericson 29 displaces approximately 112% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.64 and 24.0 m² of sail area. The 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.88). The 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L of water capacity and 20L of fuel. The 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Ericson 29 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 1990 Beneteau First 235 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1976 Ericson 29 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.