Beneteau First 18 vs 1971 C&C 27 — Comparison
1971 C&C 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 18 | 1971 C&C 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 2018 | 1971–1975 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Canada |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 450 kg (992 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 100 kg (220 lbs) | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 5 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 18 and 1971 C&C 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 18 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1971 C&C 27 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Beneteau First 18 was penned by Sam Manuard. The 1971 C&C 27 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 18 measures 5.49m (18.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.28m, compared to the 1971 C&C 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1971 C&C 27 is 2.74m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1971 C&C 27 displaces approximately 454% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 18 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 27.71 and 16.0 m² of sail area. The 1971 C&C 27, with an SA/D of 17.13 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 18 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 18 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.19). The 1971 C&C 27 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18 and 41.8% for the 1971 C&C 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 18 provides 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. The 1971 C&C 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1971 C&C 27 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 18 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1971 C&C 27 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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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 18 · 1971 C&C 27