Beneteau First 27 vs 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 1990–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 51.5 m² (554 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 is a 1990s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 is 2.17m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 displaces approximately 165% 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 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34, with an SA/D of 15.26 and 51.5 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 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 has a comfort ratio of 27.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 42.9% for the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34, 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 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 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 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 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: Beneteau First 27 · 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34