Beneteau First 29 vs 1977 Cal 33 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1977 Cal 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Cal |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1977–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1977 Cal 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1977 Cal 33 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 1977 Cal 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1977 Cal 33 is 1.16m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1977 Cal 33 displaces approximately 68% 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 1977 Cal 33, with an SA/D of 14.53 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1977 Cal 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 33, 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 1977 Cal 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cal 33 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 1977 Cal 33 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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