1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.14 m (33.3 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 measures 10.14m (33.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is 0.39m longer than the 1979 Westerly Fulmar.
Looking at performance, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 50.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar, with an SA/D of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 34.1% for the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 · 1979 Westerly Fulmar