Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Ericson |
| Year | 2020 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.28 m (40.3 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.78 m (35.4 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 70.2 m² (756 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 measures 12.28m (40.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is 0.70m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 displaces approximately 14% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 70.2 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 · 1984 Ericson 38