Beneteau First 20 vs 1975 Pearson 28 — Comparison
1975 Pearson 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 20 | 1975 Pearson 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pearson |
| Year | 2014 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.90 m (19.4 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.39 m (17.7 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 660 kg (1,455 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 165 kg (364 lbs) | 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 19.5 m² (210 ft²) | 30.0 m² (323 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 10 L (2.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 20 and 1975 Pearson 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 20 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1975 Pearson 28 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The Beneteau First 20 was penned by Sam Manuard. The 1975 Pearson 28 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 20 measures 5.90m (19.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.34m, compared to the 1975 Pearson 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1975 Pearson 28 is 2.63m longer than the Beneteau First 20. The 1975 Pearson 28 displaces approximately 347% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 20 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 26.16 and 19.5 m² of sail area. The 1975 Pearson 28, with an SA/D of 14.83 and 30.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 20 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 20 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 10.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.08). The 1975 Pearson 28 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 25.0% for the Beneteau First 20 and 43.1% for the 1975 Pearson 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 20 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 10L of water capacity and unspecified fuel capacity. The 1975 Pearson 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 28 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 20 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1975 Pearson 28 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 20 · 1975 Pearson 28