Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Beneteau First 40 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Beneteau First 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Beneteau First 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2017 | 2006–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Beneteau First 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Beneteau First 40 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
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 40 at 12.16m (39.9ft) with a 3.80m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 0.66m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 2% 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 40, with an SA/D of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 40 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 40 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40, 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 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 40 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 First 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.