Beneteau First 24 vs Catalina 28 — Comparison
Beneteau First 24
Catalina 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 24 | Catalina 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| LWL | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) |
| Ballast | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 24 and Catalina 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 28 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 24 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 28 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 24 measures 7.20m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the Catalina 28 at 8.69m (28.5ft) with a 2.90m beam. The Catalina 28 is 1.49m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The Catalina 28 displaces approximately 101% 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 Catalina 28, with an SA/D of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Catalina 28 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24 and 40.3% for the Catalina 28, 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 Catalina 28 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 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 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 Catalina 28 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.