1990 Beneteau First 235 vs Catalina 28 — Comparison
1990 Beneteau First 235
Catalina 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Beneteau First 235 | Catalina 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1990–1996 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.18 m (23.6 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| LWL | 6.17 m (20.2 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.90 m (9.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 2,812 kg (6,199 lbs) |
| Ballast | 567 kg (1,250 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Beneteau First 235 and Catalina 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 28 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1990 Beneteau First 235 was penned by Jean Berret. The Catalina 28 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1990 Beneteau First 235 measures 7.18m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the Catalina 28 at 8.69m (28.5ft) with a 2.90m beam. The Catalina 28 is 1.51m longer than the 1990 Beneteau First 235. The Catalina 28 displaces approximately 88% 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 Catalina 28, with an SA/D of 17.09 and 33.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Catalina 28 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 37.9% for the 1990 Beneteau First 235 and 40.3% for the Catalina 28, 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 Catalina 28 offers 6 berths in 1 cabin with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 28 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: The Catalina 28 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: 1990 Beneteau First 235 · Catalina 28