1987 Beneteau First 38 vs 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 13.94 m (45.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 10,100 kg (22,267 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 330 L (87.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 at 13.94m (45.7ft) with a 4.49m beam. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 is 2.36m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 38. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45, with an SA/D of 19.13 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 has a comfort ratio of 12.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 30.7% for the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 330L water and 180L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 38 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 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: 1987 Beneteau First 38 · 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45