1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 vs 1990 Westerly Oceanquest — Comparison
1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 | 1990 Westerly Oceanquest |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1990–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.14 m (33.3 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 23 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest is 0.53m longer than the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331. The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest displaces approximately 18% 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest, with an SA/D of 14.32 and 46.0 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest 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 38.5% for the 1990 Westerly Oceanquest, 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Westerly Oceanquest 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 1990 Westerly Oceanquest 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 · 1990 Westerly Oceanquest