Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2017 | 2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 12.28 m (40.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 10.78 m (35.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 70.2 m² (756 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 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 Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
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 Oceanis 40.1 at 12.28m (40.3ft) with a 3.99m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is 0.78m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 displaces approximately 19% 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 Oceanis 40.1, with an SA/D of 17.12 and 70.2 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 30.6% for the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, 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 Oceanis 40.1 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L 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 Oceanis 40.1 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 40.1 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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