1990 Beneteau First 235 vs 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 — Comparison
1990 Beneteau First 235
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Beneteau First 235 | 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1990–1996 | 1982–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.18 m (23.6 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.64 m (8.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 567 kg (1,250 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) | 30.5 m² (328 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 is a 1980s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 measures 7.18m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.64m beam. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 is 1.05m longer than the 1990 Beneteau First 235. The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 displaces approximately 112% 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27, with an SA/D of 14.35 and 30.5 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 has a comfort ratio of 26.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 42.9% for the 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27, 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 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27 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 · 1982 Pacific Seacraft 27