1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 vs 1992 Valiant 47 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461
1992 Valiant 47
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 | 1992 Valiant 47 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Valiant |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.37 m (14.3 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.3 m² (951 ft²) | 92.5 m² (996 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 568 L (150.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and 1992 Valiant 47 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1992 Valiant 47 is a 1990s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1992 Valiant 47 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 measures 14.02m (46.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.37m, compared to the 1992 Valiant 47 at 14.33m (47.0ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 1992 Valiant 47 is 0.31m longer than the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461. The 1992 Valiant 47 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.77 and 88.3 m² of sail area. The 1992 Valiant 47, with an SA/D of 15.47 and 92.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1992 Valiant 47 has a comfort ratio of 22.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.67. The ballast ratios are 32.0% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and 39.4% for the 1992 Valiant 47, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1992 Valiant 47 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 568L water and 303L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Valiant 47 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 461 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 461 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.