Beneteau First 30 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Beneteau First 30 is 1.52m longer than the Catalina 250. The Beneteau First 30 displaces approximately 127% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 250 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 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 Catalina 250 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 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: Beneteau First 30 · Catalina 250