1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 vs 1975 Pearson 28 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321
1975 Pearson 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 | 1975 Pearson 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Pearson |
| Year | 1995–2001 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.5 m² (479 ft²) | 30.0 m² (323 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 1975 Pearson 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1975 Pearson 28 is a 1970s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1975 Pearson 28 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.27m, compared to the 1975 Pearson 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.74m beam. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is 1.15m longer than the 1975 Pearson 28. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.37 and 44.5 m² of sail area. The 1975 Pearson 28, with an SA/D of 14.83 and 30.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1975 Pearson 28 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 43.1% for the 1975 Pearson 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 1975 Pearson 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 28 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 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 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: 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 · 1975 Pearson 28