1985 Beneteau First 285 vs 1975 Pearson 28 — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
1975 Pearson 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | 1975 Pearson 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pearson |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 30.0 m² (323 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 1975 Pearson 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1975 Pearson 28 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1975 Pearson 28 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1975 Pearson 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is 0.12m longer than the 1975 Pearson 28. The 1975 Pearson 28 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.99 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Pearson 28, with an SA/D of 14.83 and 30.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1975 Pearson 28 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 43.1% for the 1975 Pearson 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1975 Pearson 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 28 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 1985 Beneteau First 285 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Beneteau First 285 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: 1985 Beneteau First 285 · 1975 Pearson 28