2004 Oyster 46 vs 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 — Comparison
2004 Oyster 46
2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Oyster 46 | 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | Beneteau |
| Year | 2004–2010 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | France |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.02 m (46.0 ft) | 13.94 m (45.7 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) | 10,100 kg (22,267 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 330 L (87.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Oyster 46 and 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Oyster 46 is a 2000s design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2004 Oyster 46 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 2004 Oyster 46 measures 14.02m (46.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 at 13.94m (45.7ft) with a 4.49m beam. The 2004 Oyster 46 is 0.08m longer than the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45. The 2004 Oyster 46 displaces approximately 24% 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45, with an SA/D of 19.13 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 has a comfort ratio of 12.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 38.4% for the 2004 Oyster 46 and 30.7% for the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45, 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 330L water and 180L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Oyster 46 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 45 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.