Beneteau First 24 vs 1974 Morgan 33 — Comparison
1974 Morgan 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 24 | 1974 Morgan 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Morgan |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 1974–1980 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Charlie Morgan |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 24 and 1974 Morgan 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1974 Morgan 33 is a 1970s offering from Morgan from USA. The Beneteau First 24 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1974 Morgan 33 was designed by Charlie Morgan.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 24 measures 7.20m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the 1974 Morgan 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1974 Morgan 33 is 2.86m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 1974 Morgan 33 displaces approximately 273% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 24 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 21.93 and 27.0 m² of sail area. The 1974 Morgan 33, with an SA/D of 14.19 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The 1974 Morgan 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24 and 39.1% for the 1974 Morgan 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L of water capacity and 20L of fuel. The 1974 Morgan 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1974 Morgan 33 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 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1974 Morgan 33 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 24 · 1974 Morgan 33