1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ericson |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.14 m (33.3 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 measures 10.14m (33.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1984 Ericson 38 is 1.44m longer than the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331. The 1984 Ericson 38 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
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 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 34.1% for the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, 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 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 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: The 1984 Ericson 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · 1984 Ericson 38