1990 Beneteau First 235 vs Beneteau First 14 — Comparison
1990 Beneteau First 235
Beneteau First 14
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Beneteau First 235 | Beneteau First 14 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 1990–1996 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.18 m (23.6 ft) | 4.19 m (13.7 ft) |
| LWL | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 0.82 m (2.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 90 kg (198 lbs) |
| Ballast | 567 kg (1,250 lbs) | 18 kg (40 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) | 8.8 m² (95 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Daggerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | — |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Beneteau First 235 and Beneteau First 14 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau First 14 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 was penned by Jean Berret. The Beneteau First 14 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 measures 7.18m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the Beneteau First 14 at 4.19m (13.7ft) with a 1.75m beam. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 is 2.99m longer than the Beneteau First 14. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 displaces approximately 1563% 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 Beneteau First 14, with an SA/D of 44.58 and 8.8 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 14 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 Beneteau First 14 has a comfort ratio of 4.2 and a capsize screening value of 1.56. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 20.0% for the Beneteau First 14, 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 Beneteau First 14 offers an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Beneteau First 235 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 14 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.