Beneteau First 35 vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Beneteau First 35 is 2.45m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The Beneteau First 35 displaces approximately 102% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 35 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 35 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 35 · 1978 Cape Dory 270