1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 vs 2004 Oyster 46 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 | 2004 Oyster 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Oyster |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2004–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 4.37 m (14.3 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.3 m² (951 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and 2004 Oyster 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 2004 Oyster 46 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 measures 14.02m (46.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.37m, compared to the 2004 Oyster 46 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 10% 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 2004 Oyster 46, with an SA/D of 16.97 and 90.0 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 2004 Oyster 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 32.0% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 and 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46, 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 2004 Oyster 46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 46 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.