1968 Pearson 22 vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1968 Pearson 22 | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Beneteau |
| Year | 1968–1973 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 454 kg (1,001 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.6 m² (200 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1968 Pearson 22 and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1968 Pearson 22 is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1968 Pearson 22 was penned by William Shaw. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1968 Pearson 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The Beneteau First 27 is 1.48m longer than the 1968 Pearson 22. The Beneteau First 27 displaces approximately 112% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1968 Pearson 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.39 and 18.6 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1968 Pearson 22 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1968 Pearson 22 and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1968 Pearson 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 19L of fuel. The Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1968 Pearson 22 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 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 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: 1968 Pearson 22 · Beneteau First 27