1972 Islander 24 vs Beneteau First 24 — Comparison
1972 Islander 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1972 Islander 24 | Beneteau First 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Beneteau |
| Year | 1972–1977 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) |
| LWL | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.36 m (7.7 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Ballast | 635 kg (1,400 lbs) | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 23.5 m² (253 ft²) | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 6 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 20 L (5.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1972 Islander 24 and Beneteau First 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1972 Islander 24 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1972 Islander 24 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Beneteau First 24 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1972 Islander 24 measures 7.32m (24.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.36m, compared to the Beneteau First 24 at 7.20m (23.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 1972 Islander 24 is 0.12m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 1972 Islander 24 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1972 Islander 24 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 23.5 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 24, with an SA/D of 21.93 and 27.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1972 Islander 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Beneteau First 24 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1972 Islander 24 and 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1972 Islander 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The Beneteau First 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 20L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Islander 24 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 24 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: 1972 Islander 24 · Beneteau First 24