1966 Islander 33 vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
1966 Islander 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1966 Islander 33 | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Beneteau |
| Year | 1966–1974 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Joseph McGlasson | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1966 Islander 33 and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1966 Islander 33 is a classic design by Islander from USA, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1966 Islander 33 was penned by Joseph McGlasson. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 1966 Islander 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is 0.38m longer than the 1966 Islander 33. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 displaces approximately 22% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1966 Islander 33 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.57 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, with an SA/D of 16.53 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1966 Islander 33 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1966 Islander 33 and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1966 Islander 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1966 Islander 33 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1966 Islander 33 · 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34