Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 1973 Ranger 33 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
1973 Ranger 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 1973 Ranger 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ranger |
| Year | 2017 | 1973–1979 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Gary Mull |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 1973 Ranger 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1973 Ranger 33 is a 1970s offering from Ranger from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1973 Ranger 33 was designed by Gary Mull.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1973 Ranger 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 1.44m longer than the 1973 Ranger 33. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The 1973 Ranger 33, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1973 Ranger 33 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 42.9% for the 1973 Ranger 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The 1973 Ranger 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Ranger 33 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 38.1 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: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · 1973 Ranger 33