1996 Island Packet 40 vs 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 — Comparison
1996 Island Packet 40
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1996 Island Packet 40 | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Island Packet | Beneteau |
| Year | 1996–2005 | 1995–2000 |
| Type | Cutter | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Bob Johnson | Groupe Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.37 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 68.8 m² (741 ft²) | 88.3 m² (951 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 454 L (119.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1996 Island Packet 40 and 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1996 Island Packet 40 is a 1990s design by Island Packet from USA, while the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1996 Island Packet 40 was penned by Bob Johnson. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 was designed by Groupe Finot.
In terms of size, the 1996 Island Packet 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 at 14.02m (46.0ft) with a 4.37m beam. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 is 1.83m longer than the 1996 Island Packet 40. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 displaces approximately 9% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1996 Island Packet 40 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.64 and 68.8 m² of sail area. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461, with an SA/D of 17.77 and 88.3 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1996 Island Packet 40 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 has a comfort ratio of 15.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 39.1% for the 1996 Island Packet 40 and 32.0% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1996 Island Packet 40 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 454L of water capacity and 227L of fuel. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 461 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Island Packet 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 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.