1978 Pearson 30 vs Beneteau First 29 — Comparison
1978 Pearson 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Pearson 30 | Beneteau First 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Beneteau |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1995–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Bruce Farr |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.3 m² (423 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 | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Pearson 30 and Beneteau First 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Pearson 30 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1978 Pearson 30 was penned by William Shaw. The Beneteau First 29 was designed by Bruce Farr.
In terms of size, the 1978 Pearson 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Beneteau First 29 at 8.90m (29.2ft) with a 2.95m beam. The 1978 Pearson 30 is 0.24m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The 1978 Pearson 30 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Pearson 30 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.91 and 39.3 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 1978 Pearson 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Beneteau First 29 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 1978 Pearson 30 and 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Pearson 30 provides 6 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 1978 Pearson 30 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: The 1978 Pearson 30 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: 1978 Pearson 30 · Beneteau First 29