1985 Beneteau First 285 vs 1984 Cape Dory 33 — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | 1984 Cape Dory 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.12 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.45 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 1984 Cape Dory 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1984 Cape Dory 33 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1985 Beneteau First 285 measures 8.65m (28.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.90m, compared to the 1984 Cape Dory 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.12m beam. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 is 1.41m longer than the 1985 Beneteau First 285. The 1984 Cape Dory 33 displaces approximately 72% 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 1984 Cape Dory 33, with an SA/D of 15.31 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1984 Cape Dory 33 has a comfort ratio of 23.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 43.6% for the 1984 Cape Dory 33, 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 1984 Cape Dory 33 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Cape Dory 33 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 · 1984 Cape Dory 33