1975 Cape Dory 28 vs Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 — Comparison
1975 Cape Dory 28
Beneteau Oceanis 34.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Cape Dory 28 | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | Beneteau |
| Year | 1975–1983 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.69 m (8.8 ft) | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 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 1975 Cape Dory 28 and Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Cape Dory 28 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1975 Cape Dory 28 was penned by Carl Alberg. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1975 Cape Dory 28 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.69m, 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 1975 Cape Dory 28. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 displaces approximately 64% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Cape Dory 28 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.76 and 33.5 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 1975 Cape Dory 28 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1975 Cape Dory 28 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Cape Dory 28 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Cape Dory 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.