Beneteau First 33.7 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Beneteau First 33.7
1988 Valiant Esprit 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Valiant |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 33.7 measures 10.04m (32.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.32m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 1.24m longer than the Beneteau First 33.7. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 54% 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 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 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.