Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Wauquiez |
| Year | 2017 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s offering from Wauquiez from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur at 10.21m (33.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 1.29m longer than the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 31% 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 47.0 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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 · 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur