1987 Beneteau First 38 vs Catalina 28 — Comparison
Catalina 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | Catalina 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and Catalina 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 28 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 28 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Catalina 28 at 8.69m (28.5ft) with a 2.90m beam. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is 2.89m longer than the Catalina 28. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 displaces approximately 150% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The Catalina 28, with an SA/D of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Catalina 28 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 40.3% for the Catalina 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Catalina 28 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 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: 1987 Beneteau First 38 · Catalina 28