Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 1977 Cal 33 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 1977 Cal 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Cal |
| Year | 2017 | 1977–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 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 | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 1977 Cal 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1977 Cal 33 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1977 Cal 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 1.44m longer than the 1977 Cal 33. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 37% 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 1977 Cal 33, with an SA/D of 14.53 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. 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 1977 Cal 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 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 1977 Cal 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cal 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 · 1977 Cal 33