Beneteau First 30 vs Beneteau First 36.7 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Beneteau First 36.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Beneteau First 36.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 2002–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Beneteau First 36.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Beneteau First 36.7 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Beneteau First 36.7 at 11.25m (36.9ft) with a 3.58m beam. The Beneteau First 36.7 is 2.11m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Beneteau First 36.7 displaces approximately 61% 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 Beneteau First 36.7, with an SA/D of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 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 Beneteau First 36.7 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7, 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 Beneteau First 36.7 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L 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 Beneteau First 36.7 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 36.7 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 · Beneteau First 36.7