Beneteau First 33.7 vs Catalina 425 — Comparison
Catalina 425
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | Catalina 425 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 12.95 m (42.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 9,616 kg (21,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 3,719 kg (8,199 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 322 L (85.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and Catalina 425 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 425 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 425 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 33.7 measures 10.04m (32.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.32m, compared to the Catalina 425 at 12.95m (42.5ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 425 is 2.91m longer than the Beneteau First 33.7. The Catalina 425 displaces approximately 105% 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 Catalina 425, with an SA/D of 17.52 and 78.0 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 Catalina 425 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 38.7% for the Catalina 425, 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 Catalina 425 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 322L water and 152L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 33.7 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 Catalina 425 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 33.7 · Catalina 425