Beneteau First 14 vs Beneteau First 20 — Comparison
Beneteau First 14
Beneteau First 20
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 14 | Beneteau First 20 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2016 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 4.19 m (13.7 ft) | 5.90 m (19.4 ft) |
| LWL | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) | 5.39 m (17.7 ft) |
| Beam | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) |
| Draft | 0.82 m (2.7 ft) | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 90 kg (198 lbs) | 660 kg (1,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 18 kg (40 lbs) | 165 kg (364 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 8.8 m² (95 ft²) | 19.5 m² (210 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Daggerboard | Lifting |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 4 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | — |
| Water Capacity | — | 10 L (2.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | — | 3 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 14 and Beneteau First 20 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 14 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau First 20 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau First 14 was penned by Sam Manuard. The Beneteau First 20 was designed by Sam Manuard.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 14 measures 4.19m (13.7ft) overall with a beam of 1.75m, compared to the Beneteau First 20 at 5.90m (19.4ft) with a 2.34m beam. The Beneteau First 20 is 1.71m longer than the Beneteau First 14. The Beneteau First 20 displaces approximately 633% 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 Beneteau First 20, with an SA/D of 26.16 and 19.5 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 Beneteau First 20 has a comfort ratio of 10.6 and a capsize screening value of 1.08. The ballast ratios are 20.0% for the Beneteau First 14 and 25.0% for the Beneteau First 20, 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 Beneteau First 20 offers 3 berths in 1 cabin with 10L water and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 20 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.