1990 Beneteau First 235 vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
1990 Beneteau First 235
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Beneteau First 235 | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1990–1996 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.18 m (23.6 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 567 kg (1,250 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 measures 7.18m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 is 1.05m longer than the 1990 Beneteau First 235. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 displaces approximately 82% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.64 and 24.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.88). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L of water capacity and 20L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 1990 Beneteau First 235 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: 1990 Beneteau First 235 · 1978 Cape Dory 270