Beneteau First 40 vs Catalina 34 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Catalina 34 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 1995–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Catalina 34 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 34 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the Catalina 34 MkII at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 1.80m longer than the Catalina 34 MkII. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 34 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.08 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Catalina 34 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Catalina 34 MkII offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 34 MkII 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 40 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 40 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 40 · Catalina 34 MkII