Beneteau First 18 vs 1975 Ericson 25+ — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 18 | 1975 Ericson 25+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ericson |
| Year | 2018 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 450 kg (992 lbs) | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 100 kg (220 lbs) | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 23 L (6.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 18 and 1975 Ericson 25+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 18 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1975 Ericson 25+ is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Beneteau First 18 was penned by Sam Manuard. The 1975 Ericson 25+ was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 18 measures 5.49m (18.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.28m, compared to the 1975 Ericson 25+ at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1975 Ericson 25+ is 2.13m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1975 Ericson 25+ displaces approximately 323% 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 1975 Ericson 25+, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 25.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1975 Ericson 25+ has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18 and 38.1% for the 1975 Ericson 25+, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 18 provides 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. The 1975 Ericson 25+ offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L water and 23L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Ericson 25+ 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 1975 Ericson 25+ 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 · 1975 Ericson 25+