Beneteau First 29 vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Cal |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1979 Cal 39 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 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1979 Cal 39 is 2.99m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1979 Cal 39 displaces approximately 163% 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 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 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 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, 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 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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 1979 Cal 39 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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