1979 Islander 36 vs Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 — Comparison
1979 Islander 36
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Islander 36 | Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Beneteau |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 12.28 m (40.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.78 m (35.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.2 m² (583 ft²) | 70.2 m² (756 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Islander 36 and Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Islander 36 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1979 Islander 36 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1979 Islander 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 at 12.28m (40.3ft) with a 3.99m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is 1.31m longer than the 1979 Islander 36. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 displaces approximately 34% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Islander 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.06 and 54.2 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 1979 Islander 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1979 Islander 36 and 30.6% for the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Islander 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 151L 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 1979 Islander 36 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: 1979 Islander 36 · Beneteau Oceanis 40.1