1985 Beneteau First 285 vs 1984 Pearson 34 — Comparison
1985 Beneteau First 285
1984 Pearson 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Beneteau First 285 | 1984 Pearson 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pearson |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 13 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 1984 Pearson 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1984 Pearson 34 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1985 Beneteau First 285 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1984 Pearson 34 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 1984 Pearson 34 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1984 Pearson 34 is 1.71m longer than the 1985 Beneteau First 285. The 1984 Pearson 34 displaces approximately 88% 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 Pearson 34, with an SA/D of 15.11 and 46.0 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 Pearson 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1985 Beneteau First 285 and 41.7% for the 1984 Pearson 34, 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 Pearson 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 152L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Pearson 34 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: 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: 1985 Beneteau First 285 · 1984 Pearson 34