1979 Westerly Fulmar vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Westerly Fulmar | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westerly | Beneteau |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | France |
| Designer | Ed Dubois | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 136 L (35.9 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s design by Westerly from UK, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was penned by Ed Dubois. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is 0.69m longer than the 1979 Westerly Fulmar. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 displaces approximately 11% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, with an SA/D of 16.53 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Westerly Fulmar provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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: 1979 Westerly Fulmar · 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34