Beneteau First 24 vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
Beneteau First 24
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 24 | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ericson |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 24 and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Beneteau First 24 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 24 measures 7.20m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1976 Ericson 29 is 1.64m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 1976 Ericson 29 displaces approximately 127% 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 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24 and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, 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 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Ericson 29 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 1976 Ericson 29 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.