Beneteau First 27 vs 1976 C&C 33 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | 1976 C&C 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 1976–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Canada |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and 1976 C&C 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1976 C&C 33 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1976 C&C 33 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the 1976 C&C 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1976 C&C 33 is 1.87m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 1976 C&C 33 displaces approximately 89% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of sail area. The 1976 C&C 33, with an SA/D of 15.57 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1976 C&C 33 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 45.0% for the 1976 C&C 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The 1976 C&C 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 C&C 33 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 Beneteau First 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1976 C&C 33 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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