1971 Columbia 28 vs Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 — Comparison
1971 Columbia 28
Beneteau Oceanis 34.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1971 Columbia 28 | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Beneteau |
| Year | 1971–1977 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Crealock | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.2 m² (336 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1971 Columbia 28 and Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1971 Columbia 28 is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1971 Columbia 28 was penned by William Crealock. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1971 Columbia 28 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 at 10.34m (33.9ft) with a 3.39m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is 1.81m longer than the 1971 Columbia 28. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 displaces approximately 91% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1971 Columbia 28 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.26 and 31.2 m² of sail area. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, with an SA/D of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1971 Columbia 28 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1971 Columbia 28 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1971 Columbia 28 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1971 Columbia 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 Oceanis 34.1 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 34.1 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.