1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 vs 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321
1999 Pacific Seacraft 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 | 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pacific Seacraft |
| Year | 1995–2001 | 1999–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.5 m² (479 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 is a 1990s offering from Pacific Seacraft from USA. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.27m, compared to the 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 is 2.51m longer than the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321. The 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 displaces approximately 127% 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 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40, with an SA/D of 15.83 and 70.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 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 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 40.5% for the 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40, 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 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 340L water and 189L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 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 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1999 Pacific Seacraft 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.