Beneteau First 29 vs Catalina 36 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | Catalina 36 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1999–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 56.5 m² (608 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and Catalina 36 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 36 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Catalina 36 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the Catalina 36 MkII at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.55m beam. The Catalina 36 MkII is 2.07m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The Catalina 36 MkII displaces approximately 112% 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 Catalina 36 MkII, with an SA/D of 16.35 and 56.5 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 Catalina 36 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 37.9% for the Catalina 36 MkII, 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 Catalina 36 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 36 MkII 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 Catalina 36 MkII 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 · Catalina 36 MkII