Beneteau First 29 vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ericson |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Beneteau First 29 is 0.06m longer than the 1976 Ericson 29. The 1976 Ericson 29 displaces approximately 2% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Ericson 29 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 29 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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