2008 Oyster 56 vs 1996 MacGregor 65 — Comparison
2008 Oyster 56
1996 MacGregor 65
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Oyster 56 | 1996 MacGregor 65 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Oyster | MacGregor |
| Year | 2008–2015 | 1996–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | United Kingdom | USA |
| Designer | Rob Humphreys | Roger MacGregor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 17.10 m (56.1 ft) | 19.81 m (65.0 ft) |
| LWL | 14.30 m (46.9 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 21,000 kg (46,297 lbs) | 15,876 kg (35,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 128.0 m² (1,378 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 150 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 850 L (224.5 gal) | 760 L (200.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Oyster 56 and 1996 MacGregor 65 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Oyster 56 is a 2000s design by Oyster from United Kingdom, while the 1996 MacGregor 65 is a 1990s offering from MacGregor from USA. The 2008 Oyster 56 was penned by Rob Humphreys. The 1996 MacGregor 65 was designed by Roger MacGregor.
In terms of size, the 2008 Oyster 56 measures 17.10m (56.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.72m, compared to the 1996 MacGregor 65 at 19.81m (65.0ft) with a 5.18m beam. The 1996 MacGregor 65 is 2.71m longer than the 2008 Oyster 56. The 2008 Oyster 56 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Oyster 56 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.08 and 128.0 m² of sail area. The 1996 MacGregor 65, with an SA/D of 19.30 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1996 MacGregor 65 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Oyster 56 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1996 MacGregor 65 has a comfort ratio of 9.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 37.1% for the 2008 Oyster 56 and 34.3% for the 1996 MacGregor 65, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Oyster 56 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 850L of water capacity and 500L of fuel. The 1996 MacGregor 65 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 760L water and 380L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Oyster 56 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 1996 MacGregor 65 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: 2008 Oyster 56 · 1996 MacGregor 65