Beneteau First 29 vs 2002 X-Yachts X-37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 2002 X-Yachts X-37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | X-Yachts |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2002–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Denmark |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Niels Jeppesen |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 11.15 m (36.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 6,500 kg (14,330 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 2,500 kg (5,512 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 | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 2002 X-Yachts X-37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2002 X-Yachts X-37 is a 2000s offering from X-Yachts from Denmark. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 2002 X-Yachts X-37 was designed by Niels Jeppesen.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 2002 X-Yachts X-37 at 11.15m (36.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 2002 X-Yachts X-37 is 2.25m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 2002 X-Yachts X-37 displaces approximately 110% 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 2002 X-Yachts X-37, with an SA/D of 18.09 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 2002 X-Yachts X-37 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 38.5% for the 2002 X-Yachts X-37, 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 2002 X-Yachts X-37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2002 X-Yachts X-37 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 2002 X-Yachts X-37 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 · 2002 X-Yachts X-37