1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 vs 1990 Valiant 39 — Comparison
1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 | 1990 Valiant 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Valiant |
| Year | 1995–2001 | 1990–2000 |
| Type | Sloop | Cutter |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Groupe Finot | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.68 m (31.8 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.27 m (10.7 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 3,447 kg (7,599 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.5 m² (479 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 1990 Valiant 39 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1990 Valiant 39 is a 1990s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 was penned by Groupe Finot. The 1990 Valiant 39 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 measures 9.68m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.27m, compared to the 1990 Valiant 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1990 Valiant 39 is 2.21m longer than the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321. The 1990 Valiant 39 displaces approximately 105% 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 1990 Valiant 39, with an SA/D of 15.95 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1990 Valiant 39 has a comfort ratio of 23.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 and 40.0% for the 1990 Valiant 39, 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 1990 Valiant 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 170L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Valiant 39 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 1990 Valiant 39 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: 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 321 · 1990 Valiant 39