Beneteau First 36.7 vs 1975 Pearson 28 — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
1975 Pearson 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | 1975 Pearson 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pearson |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 30.0 m² (323 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and 1975 Pearson 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1975 Pearson 28 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1975 Pearson 28 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 36.7 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.58m, compared to the 1975 Pearson 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Beneteau First 36.7 is 2.72m longer than the 1975 Pearson 28. The Beneteau First 36.7 displaces approximately 97% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Pearson 28, with an SA/D of 14.83 and 30.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 36.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1975 Pearson 28 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 43.1% for the 1975 Pearson 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 36.7 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1975 Pearson 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 28 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 36.7 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 36.7 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 36.7 · 1975 Pearson 28