Beneteau First 40 vs 1986 Westerly Oceanlord — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 1986 Westerly Oceanlord |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 1986–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 9,980 kg (22,002 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 182 L (48.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 1986 Westerly Oceanlord represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.81m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 0.12m longer than the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord displaces approximately 43% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 36.4% for the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 182L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 40 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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