1970 Irwin 34 vs Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Irwin 34 | Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Beneteau |
| Year | 1970–1978 | 2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 12.28 m (40.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 10.78 m (35.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.9 m² (516 ft²) | 70.2 m² (756 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Irwin 34 and Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Irwin 34 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1970 Irwin 34 was penned by Ted Irwin. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1970 Irwin 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 at 12.28m (40.3ft) with a 3.99m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is 1.92m longer than the 1970 Irwin 34. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 displaces approximately 56% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Irwin 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.73 and 47.9 m² of sail area. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, with an SA/D of 17.12 and 70.2 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Irwin 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1970 Irwin 34 and 30.6% for the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Irwin 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Irwin 34 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 Oceanis 40.1 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 Oceanis 40.1 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: 1970 Irwin 34 · Beneteau Oceanis 40.1