Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 vs 2017 Leopard 40 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 34.1
2017 Leopard 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 | 2017 Leopard 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Leopard |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Catamaran |
| Country | France | South Africa |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) | 6.56 m (21.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.12 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 8,400 kg (18,519 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and 2017 Leopard 40 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 2017 Leopard 40 is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 2017 Leopard 40 was designed by Simonis Voogd.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 measures 10.34m (33.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.39m, compared to the 2017 Leopard 40 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 6.56m beam. The 2017 Leopard 40 is 1.39m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1. The 2017 Leopard 40 displaces approximately 62% 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 2017 Leopard 40, with an SA/D of 17.21 and 70.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 2017 Leopard 40 has a comfort ratio of 8.4 and a capsize screening value of 1.29. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 and 0.0% for the 2017 Leopard 40, 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 2017 Leopard 40 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 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 2017 Leopard 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.