1993 Beneteau First 42 vs Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 at 10.34m (33.9ft) with a 3.39m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 2.43m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 70% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 76.3 m² of sail area. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, with an SA/D of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Beneteau First 42 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1993 Beneteau First 42 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: 1993 Beneteau First 42 · Beneteau Oceanis 34.1