Beneteau First 20 vs Beneteau First 30 — Comparison
Beneteau First 20
Beneteau First 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 20 | Beneteau First 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2014 | 1983–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.90 m (19.4 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.39 m (17.7 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 660 kg (1,455 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Ballast | 165 kg (364 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 19.5 m² (210 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 10 L (2.6 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 20 and Beneteau First 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 20 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau First 20 was penned by Sam Manuard. The Beneteau First 30 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 20 measures 5.90m (19.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.34m, compared to the Beneteau First 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Beneteau First 30 is 3.24m longer than the Beneteau First 20. The Beneteau First 30 displaces approximately 445% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 20 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 26.16 and 19.5 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 30, with an SA/D of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 20 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 20 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 10.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.08). The Beneteau First 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 25.0% for the Beneteau First 20 and 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 20 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 10L of water capacity and unspecified fuel capacity. The Beneteau First 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 30 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 20 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 30 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.