1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 vs 1997 Tartan 3700 — Comparison
1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 | 1997 Tartan 3700 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Tartan |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1997–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.14 m (33.3 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 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) | 7,031 kg (15,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 1997 Tartan 3700 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1997 Tartan 3700 is a 1990s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1997 Tartan 3700 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 measures 10.14m (33.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1997 Tartan 3700 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1997 Tartan 3700 is 1.14m longer than the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331. The 1997 Tartan 3700 displaces approximately 41% 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 1997 Tartan 3700, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 1997 Tartan 3700 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.1% for the 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 and 41.9% for the 1997 Tartan 3700, 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 1997 Tartan 3700 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 220L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Tartan 3700 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: 1998 Beneteau Oceanis 331 · 1997 Tartan 3700