2004 Oyster 46 vs 1987 Cape Dory 40 — Comparison
2004 Oyster 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Oyster 46 | 1987 Cape Dory 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2004–2010 | 1987–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | USA |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Oyster 46 and 1987 Cape Dory 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 2004 Oyster 46 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 2004 Oyster 46 measures 14.02m (46.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 1987 Cape Dory 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 is 1.83m longer than the 1987 Cape Dory 40. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 45% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2004 Oyster 46 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.97 and 90.0 m² of sail area. The 1987 Cape Dory 40, with an SA/D of 15.59 and 64.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2004 Oyster 46 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2004 Oyster 46 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 1987 Cape Dory 40 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46 and 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2004 Oyster 46 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Cape Dory 40 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 2004 Oyster 46 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: 2004 Oyster 46 · 1987 Cape Dory 40