1984 MacGregor 26 vs Beneteau First 33.7 — Comparison
1984 MacGregor 26
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 MacGregor 26 | Beneteau First 33.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | MacGregor | Beneteau |
| Year | 1984–1995 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Roger MacGregor | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.80 m (25.6 ft) | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) |
| Draft | 0.61 m (2.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) |
| Ballast | 227 kg (500 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 22.3 m² (240 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 MacGregor 26 and Beneteau First 33.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 MacGregor 26 is a 1980s design by MacGregor from USA, while the Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1984 MacGregor 26 was penned by Roger MacGregor. The Beneteau First 33.7 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 33.7 at 10.04m (32.9ft) with a 3.32m beam. The Beneteau First 33.7 is 2.24m longer than the 1984 MacGregor 26. The Beneteau First 33.7 displaces approximately 371% 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 33.7, with an SA/D of 19.92 and 55.0 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 33.7 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 22.8% for the 1984 MacGregor 26 and 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7, 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 33.7 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 33.7 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 33.7