1988 Valiant Esprit 37 vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
1988 Valiant Esprit 37
2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Valiant | Beneteau |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Bob Perry | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Modified full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 132 L (34.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 246 L (65.0 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s design by Valiant from USA, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was penned by Bob Perry. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 0.84m longer than the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 31% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of sail area. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, with an SA/D of 16.53 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L of water capacity and 132L of fuel. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.