Beneteau First 27 vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is 2.25m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 displaces approximately 131% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.84 and 35.0 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 Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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 First 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 27 · 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34