Beneteau First 18 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 18 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2018 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 4.96 m (16.3 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.28 m (7.5 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.10 m (3.6 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 450 kg (992 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 100 kg (220 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 18 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 18 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 18 was penned by Sam Manuard. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 18 measures 5.49m (18.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.28m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Catalina 250 is 2.13m longer than the Beneteau First 18. The Catalina 250 displaces approximately 253% 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 Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 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 Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 22.2% for the Beneteau First 18 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 18 provides 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 250 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 Catalina 250 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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