1977 Bristol 29.9 vs Beneteau First 24 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Bristol 29.9 | Beneteau First 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1977–1984 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.12 m (29.9 ft) | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 6 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 20 L (5.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Bristol 29.9 and Beneteau First 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Beneteau First 24 was designed by Jean Berret.
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 24 at 7.20m (23.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is 1.92m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 displaces approximately 175% 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 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 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 24 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24, 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 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 20L 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 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1977 Bristol 29.9 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: 1977 Bristol 29.9 · Beneteau First 24