Beneteau First 24 vs Catalina 323 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 24 | Catalina 323 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 24 and Catalina 323 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 323 is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 24 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 323 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 323 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The Catalina 323 is 2.55m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The Catalina 323 displaces approximately 240% 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 323, with an SA/D of 16.51 and 46.0 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 Catalina 323 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24 and 38.1% for the Catalina 323, 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 323 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 323 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 323 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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