Beneteau First 18 vs 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 18 | 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 2018 | 1986–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 450 kg (992 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 100 kg (220 lbs) | 953 kg (2,101 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 18 and 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 18 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The Beneteau First 18 was penned by Sam Manuard. The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 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 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 is 2.13m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 displaces approximately 404% 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 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25, with an SA/D of 14.13 and 24.0 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 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 has a comfort ratio of 25.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18 and 42.0% for the 1986 Pacific Seacraft 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 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Pacific Seacraft 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 1986 Pacific Seacraft 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 · 1986 Pacific Seacraft 25