Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Beneteau First 30 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Beneteau First 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Beneteau First 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2017 | 1983–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Beneteau First 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Beneteau First 30 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Beneteau First 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 2.36m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 99% 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 Beneteau First 30, with an SA/D of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 30 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 Beneteau First 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30, 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 Beneteau First 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 30 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 First 30 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Beneteau First 30