Beneteau First 35 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Valiant |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 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 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 0.60m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 32% 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 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 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, 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 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 35 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.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 35 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37