Beneteau First 20 vs Catalina 270 — Comparison
Catalina 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 20 | Catalina 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2014 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Sam Manuard | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 5.90 m (19.4 ft) | 8.31 m (27.3 ft) |
| LWL | 5.39 m (17.7 ft) | 7.24 m (23.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.34 m (7.7 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) | 1.47 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 660 kg (1,455 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Ballast | 165 kg (364 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 19.5 m² (210 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Lifting | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 10 L (2.6 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 20 and Catalina 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 20 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 270 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 20 was penned by Sam Manuard. The Catalina 270 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 20 measures 5.90m (19.4ft) overall with a beam of 2.34m, compared to the Catalina 270 at 8.31m (27.3ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Catalina 270 is 2.41m longer than the Beneteau First 20. The Catalina 270 displaces approximately 250% 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 Catalina 270, with an SA/D of 18.01 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Catalina 270 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 25.0% for the Beneteau First 20 and 39.2% for the Catalina 270, 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 Catalina 270 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 270 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 Catalina 270 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 · Catalina 270