1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 vs 1978 C&C 24 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321
1978 C&C 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 | 1978 C&C 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1995–2001 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Canada |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.5 m² (479 ft²) | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 1978 C&C 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1978 C&C 24 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1978 C&C 24 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.27m, compared to the 1978 C&C 24 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is 2.36m longer than the 1978 C&C 24. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 displaces approximately 181% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 44.5 m² of sail area. The 1978 C&C 24, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 24.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1978 C&C 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1978 C&C 24 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.85. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 40.9% for the 1978 C&C 24, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 1978 C&C 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 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 1978 C&C 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.