1981 Pearson 36 vs Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 36
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 36 | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Beneteau |
| Year | 1981–1985 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | William Shaw | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,124 kg (13,501 lbs) | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.6 m² (555 ft²) | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 36 and Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 36 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1981 Pearson 36 was penned by William Shaw. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 36 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 at 11.50m (37.7ft) with a 3.72m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 0.83m longer than the 1981 Pearson 36. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.66 and 51.6 m² of sail area. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.7% for the 1981 Pearson 36 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 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 38.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1981 Pearson 36 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: 1981 Pearson 36 · Beneteau Oceanis 38.1