Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 1990 Island Packet 29 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
1990 Island Packet 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 1990 Island Packet 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Island Packet |
| Year | 2017 | 1990–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Bob Johnson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.12 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 33.5 m² (361 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 1990 Island Packet 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1990 Island Packet 29 is a 1990s offering from Island Packet from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1990 Island Packet 29 was designed by Bob Johnson.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1990 Island Packet 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 2.66m longer than the 1990 Island Packet 29. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 85% 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 1990 Island Packet 29, with an SA/D of 13.84 and 33.5 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 1990 Island Packet 29 has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 41.2% for the 1990 Island Packet 29, 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 1990 Island Packet 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 132L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Island Packet 29 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: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · 1990 Island Packet 29