Beneteau First 35 vs 1982 Freedom 28 — Comparison
1982 Freedom 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | 1982 Freedom 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Freedom |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1982–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 29.0 m² (312 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and 1982 Freedom 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1982 Freedom 28 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1982 Freedom 28 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 1982 Freedom 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Beneteau First 35 is 2.15m longer than the 1982 Freedom 28. The Beneteau First 35 displaces approximately 120% 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 1982 Freedom 28, with an SA/D of 16.02 and 29.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1982 Freedom 28 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.84. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 36.4% for the 1982 Freedom 28, 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 1982 Freedom 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Freedom 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 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 · 1982 Freedom 28