1984 MacGregor 26 vs Beneteau First 30 — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
Beneteau First 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | Beneteau First 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | Beneteau |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 1983–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and Beneteau First 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The Beneteau First 30 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1984 MacGregor 26 measures 7.80m (25.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the Beneteau First 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Beneteau First 30 is 1.34m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The Beneteau First 30 displaces approximately 261% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 MacGregor 26 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 22.70 and 22.3 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 30, with an SA/D of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1984 MacGregor 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 MacGregor 26 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.04). The Beneteau First 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 MacGregor 26 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The Beneteau First 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 60L 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 1984 MacGregor 26 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: 1984 MacGregor 26 · Beneteau First 30