1968 Pearson 22 vs Beneteau First 14 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1968 Pearson 22 | Beneteau First 14 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Beneteau |
| Year | 1968–1973 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Sam Manuard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 4.19 m (13.7 ft) |
| LWL | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 0.82 m (2.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 90 kg (198 lbs) |
| Ballast | 454 kg (1,001 lbs) | 18 kg (40 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.6 m² (200 ft²) | 8.8 m² (95 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Daggerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | — |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1968 Pearson 22 and Beneteau First 14 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1968 Pearson 22 is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Beneteau First 14 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1968 Pearson 22 was penned by William Shaw. The Beneteau First 14 was designed by Sam Manuard.
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 14 at 4.19m (13.7ft) with a 1.75m beam. The 1968 Pearson 22 is 2.52m longer than the Beneteau First 14. The 1968 Pearson 22 displaces approximately 1160% 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 14, with an SA/D of 44.58 and 8.8 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 14 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 14 has a comfort ratio of 4.2 and a capsize screening value of 1.56. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1968 Pearson 22 and 20.0% for the Beneteau First 14, 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 14 offers an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
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 14 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for 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 14