Beneteau First 29 vs 1996 Najad 380 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1996 Najad 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Najad |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1996–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.50 m (31.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 3,050 kg (6,724 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 260 L (68.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1996 Najad 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1996 Najad 380 is a 1990s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1996 Najad 380 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 1996 Najad 380 at 11.55m (37.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The 1996 Najad 380 is 2.65m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1996 Najad 380 displaces approximately 142% 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 1996 Najad 380, with an SA/D of 16.44 and 62.0 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 1996 Najad 380 has a comfort ratio of 20.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 40.7% for the 1996 Najad 380, 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 1996 Najad 380 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Najad 380 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 1996 Najad 380 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 · 1996 Najad 380