Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2019 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.53 m (31.3 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.65 m (28.4 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,300 kg (9,480 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 measures 9.53m (31.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.10m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 is 1.30m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.52 and 43.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 31.4% for the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 150L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 30.1 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 30.1 · 1978 Cape Dory 270