1979 Peterson 44 vs Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Beneteau |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 12.28 m (40.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.78 m (35.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 70.2 m² (756 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 at 12.28m (40.3ft) with a 3.99m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 1.13m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 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 1979 Peterson 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 30.6% for the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Peterson 44 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 1979 Peterson 44 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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Or view individual specs: 1979 Peterson 44 · Beneteau Oceanis 40.1