2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Cal |
| Year | 2005–2009 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.85 m (42.2 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.12 m (36.5 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.02 m (13.2 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,700 kg (19,180 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.0 m² (786 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 measures 12.85m (42.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.02m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 is 0.96m longer than the 1979 Cal 39. The 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.53 and 73.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 32.2% for the 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 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: 2005 Beneteau Oceanis 423 · 1979 Cal 39