2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 vs 1972 Ericson 32 — Comparison
2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37
1972 Ericson 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 | 1972 Ericson 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ericson |
| Year | 2008–2012 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Finot-Conq | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.35 m (37.2 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.93 m (32.6 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,680 kg (14,727 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 59.0 m² (635 ft²) | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 and 1972 Ericson 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1972 Ericson 32 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 was penned by Finot-Conq. The 1972 Ericson 32 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 measures 11.35m (37.2ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1972 Ericson 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 is 1.60m longer than the 1972 Ericson 32. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 displaces approximately 55% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.90 and 59.0 m² of sail area. The 1972 Ericson 32, with an SA/D of 14.97 and 39.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1972 Ericson 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 29.9% for the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 and 42.1% for the 1972 Ericson 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 1972 Ericson 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Ericson 32 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 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 37 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.