Beneteau First 35 vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The Beneteau First 35 is 0.24m longer than the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, with an SA/D of 16.53 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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 Beneteau First 35 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: Beneteau First 35 · 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34