Beneteau First 29 vs 2015 ClubSwan 36 — Comparison
Beneteau First 29
2015 ClubSwan 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 2015 ClubSwan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Juan Kouyoumdjian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.30 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 2015 ClubSwan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2015 ClubSwan 36 is a modern offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 2015 ClubSwan 36 at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.30m beam. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 is 2.10m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 displaces approximately 55% 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 2015 ClubSwan 36, with an SA/D of 23.21 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 35.4% for the 2015 ClubSwan 36, 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 29 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 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.