Beneteau First 14 vs 1974 O'Day 23 — Comparison
Beneteau First 14
1974 O'Day 23
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 14 | 1974 O'Day 23 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | O'Day |
| Year | 2016 | 1974–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 4.19 m (13.7 ft) | 6.93 m (22.7 ft) |
| LWL | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) |
| Beam | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.82 m (2.7 ft) | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 90 kg (198 lbs) | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) |
| Ballast | 18 kg (40 lbs) | 295 kg (650 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 8.8 m² (95 ft²) | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Daggerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 5 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 11 L (2.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | — | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 14 and 1974 O'Day 23 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 14 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1974 O'Day 23 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The Beneteau First 14 was penned by Sam Manuard. The 1974 O'Day 23 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 14 measures 4.19m (13.7ft) overall with a beam of 1.75m, compared to the 1974 O'Day 23 at 6.93m (22.7ft) with a 2.24m beam. The 1974 O'Day 23 is 2.74m longer than the Beneteau First 14. The 1974 O'Day 23 displaces approximately 807% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 14 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 44.58 and 8.8 m² of sail area. The 1974 O'Day 23, with an SA/D of 20.38 and 17.5 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 14 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 14 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 4.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.56). The 1974 O'Day 23 has a comfort ratio of 11.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.96. The ballast ratios are 20.0% for the Beneteau First 14 and 36.2% for the 1974 O'Day 23, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 14 provides an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. The 1974 O'Day 23 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and 11L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1974 O'Day 23 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 14 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.