Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs 1986 Westerly Oceanlord — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | 1986 Westerly Oceanlord |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 2017 | 1986–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 9,980 kg (22,002 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 182 L (48.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 1986 Westerly Oceanlord represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is 0.54m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord displaces approximately 40% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 36.4% for the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 182L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · 1986 Westerly Oceanlord