1991 Westerly Seahawk vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1991 Westerly Seahawk | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Beneteau |
| Year | 1991–1997 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | France |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 220 L (58.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1991 Westerly Seahawk and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s design by Westerly from UK, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was penned by Ed Dubois. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 1991 Westerly Seahawk measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is 0.08m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1991 Westerly Seahawk has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.57 and 48.0 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1991 Westerly Seahawk provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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: 1991 Westerly Seahawk · 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34