Beneteau First 29 vs 1975 Ericson 25+ — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1975 Ericson 25+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ericson |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 23 L (6.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1975 Ericson 25+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1975 Ericson 25+ is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1975 Ericson 25+ was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 1975 Ericson 25+ at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The Beneteau First 29 is 1.28m longer than the 1975 Ericson 25+. The Beneteau First 29 displaces approximately 63% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The 1975 Ericson 25+, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 25.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1975 Ericson 25+ has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 38.1% for the 1975 Ericson 25+, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 1975 Ericson 25+ offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L water and 23L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Ericson 25+ 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 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 29 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: Beneteau First 29 · 1975 Ericson 25+