Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 vs 2008 Oyster 56 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
2008 Oyster 56
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 | 2008 Oyster 56 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Oyster |
| Year | 2018 | 2008–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Berret-Racoupeau | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) | 17.10 m (56.1 ft) |
| LWL | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) | 14.30 m (46.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 4.72 m (15.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) | 21,000 kg (46,297 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) | 128.0 m² (1,378 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 150 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 420 L (111.0 gal) | 850 L (224.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and 2008 Oyster 56 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 2008 Oyster 56 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was penned by Berret-Racoupeau. The 2008 Oyster 56 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 measures 14.60m (47.9ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the 2008 Oyster 56 at 17.10m (56.1ft) with a 4.72m beam. The 2008 Oyster 56 is 2.50m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1. The 2008 Oyster 56 displaces approximately 91% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.10 and 93.0 m² of sail area. The 2008 Oyster 56, with an SA/D of 17.08 and 128.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2008 Oyster 56 has a comfort ratio of 17.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.69. The ballast ratios are 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and 37.1% for the 2008 Oyster 56, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2008 Oyster 56 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 850L water and 500L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 · 2008 Oyster 56