1968 Pearson 26 vs Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 — Comparison
1968 Pearson 26
Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1968 Pearson 26 | Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Beneteau |
| Year | 1968–1975 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.53 m (31.3 ft) |
| LWL | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) | 4,300 kg (9,480 lbs) |
| Ballast | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1968 Pearson 26 and Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1968 Pearson 26 is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1968 Pearson 26 was penned by William Shaw. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1968 Pearson 26 measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 at 9.53m (31.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is 1.61m longer than the 1968 Pearson 26. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 displaces approximately 111% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1968 Pearson 26 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.06 and 27.0 m² of sail area. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, with an SA/D of 16.52 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1968 Pearson 26 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1968 Pearson 26 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 42.2% for the 1968 Pearson 26 and 31.4% for the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1968 Pearson 26 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 150L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1968 Pearson 26 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 1968 Pearson 26 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.