Beneteau First 29 vs 1978 C&C 24 — Comparison
1978 C&C 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | 1978 C&C 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Canada |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and 1978 C&C 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1978 C&C 24 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 1978 C&C 24 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the 1978 C&C 24 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The Beneteau First 29 is 1.58m longer than the 1978 C&C 24. The Beneteau First 29 displaces approximately 107% 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 1978 C&C 24, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 24.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 1978 C&C 24 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.85. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 40.9% for the 1978 C&C 24, 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 1978 C&C 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 C&C 24 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: The Beneteau First 29 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 29 · 1978 C&C 24