Beneteau First 24 vs Beneteau First 29 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 24 | Beneteau First 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 1995–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Bruce Farr |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) |
| LWL | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Ballast | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 24 and Beneteau First 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau First 24 was penned by Jean Berret. The Beneteau First 29 was designed by Bruce Farr.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 24 measures 7.20m (23.6ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the Beneteau First 29 at 8.90m (29.2ft) with a 2.95m beam. The Beneteau First 29 is 1.70m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The Beneteau First 29 displaces approximately 121% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 24 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 21.93 and 27.0 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 29, with an SA/D of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 24 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.89). The Beneteau First 29 has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24 and 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 24 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L of water capacity and 20L of fuel. The Beneteau First 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L water and 50L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 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 24 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 24 · Beneteau First 29