Beneteau First 18 vs 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 18 | 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 2018 | 1982–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | William Crealock |
| 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) | 2.64 m (8.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 450 kg (992 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 100 kg (220 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) | 30.5 m² (328 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 18 and 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 18 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The Beneteau First 18 was penned by Sam Manuard. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 18 measures 5.49m (18.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.28m, compared to the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.64m beam. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 is 2.74m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 displaces approximately 606% 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27, with an SA/D of 14.35 and 30.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 has a comfort ratio of 26.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18 and 42.9% for the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 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 · 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27