Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 2017 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2016 Elan GT5 is 2.35m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The 2016 Elan GT5 displaces approximately 43% 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 2016 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 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 2016 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 31.4% for the 2016 Elan GT5, 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 2016 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 2016 Elan GT5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2016 Elan GT5 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 · 2016 Elan GT5