Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 2016 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 measures 10.34m (33.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.39m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk is 0.02m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 Oceanis 34.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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: Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 · 1991 Westerly Seahawk