1977 Bristol 29.9 vs Beneteau First 29 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Bristol 29.9 | Beneteau First 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1977–1984 | 1995–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Bruce Farr |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.12 m (29.9 ft) | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Bristol 29.9 and Beneteau First 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Beneteau First 29 was designed by Bruce Farr.
In terms of size, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 measures 9.12m (29.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Beneteau First 29 at 8.90m (29.2ft) with a 2.95m beam. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is 0.22m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 displaces approximately 24% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.41 and 39.7 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 29, with an SA/D of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Beneteau First 29 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Beneteau First 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Bristol 29.9 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 29 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: 1977 Bristol 29.9 · Beneteau First 29