Beneteau First 33.7 vs 1971 C&C 27 — Comparison
Beneteau First 33.7
1971 C&C 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | 1971 C&C 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1971–1975 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Canada |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and 1971 C&C 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1971 C&C 27 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1971 C&C 27 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 33.7 measures 10.04m (32.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.32m, compared to the 1971 C&C 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Beneteau First 33.7 is 1.81m longer than the 1971 C&C 27. The Beneteau First 33.7 displaces approximately 88% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 33.7 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.92 and 55.0 m² of sail area. The 1971 C&C 27, with an SA/D of 17.13 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 33.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 33.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1971 C&C 27 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 41.8% for the 1971 C&C 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 33.7 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1971 C&C 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1971 C&C 27 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 33.7 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 33.7 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.