1975 Pearson 39 vs Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 — Comparison
1975 Pearson 39
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Pearson 39 | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Beneteau |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Berret-Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.8 m² (654 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 420 L (111.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Pearson 39 and Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Pearson 39 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1975 Pearson 39 was penned by William Shaw. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was designed by Berret-Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 1975 Pearson 39 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 at 14.60m (47.9ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is 2.71m longer than the 1975 Pearson 39. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 displaces approximately 43% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Pearson 39 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.83 and 60.8 m² of sail area. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, with an SA/D of 19.10 and 93.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Pearson 39 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has a comfort ratio of 12.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1975 Pearson 39 and 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Pearson 39 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 39 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 46.1 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 46.1 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1975 Pearson 39 · Beneteau Oceanis 46.1