2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 2010–2016 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.60 m (28.2 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,300 kg (9,480 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 45.5 m² (490 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 0.07m longer than the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 16% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.48 and 45.5 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar, with an SA/D of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 32.6% for the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 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: 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 31 · 1979 Westerly Fulmar