Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 1983 Pearson 31 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
1983 Pearson 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 1983 Pearson 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pearson |
| Year | 2017 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 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 1983 Pearson 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1983 Pearson 31 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1983 Pearson 31 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1983 Pearson 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 2.05m longer than the 1983 Pearson 31. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 66% 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 1983 Pearson 31, with an SA/D of 15.35 and 40.0 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 1983 Pearson 31 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 42.1% for the 1983 Pearson 31, 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 1983 Pearson 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Pearson 31 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 · 1983 Pearson 31