1979 Peterson 44 vs Beneteau First 44.7 — Comparison
1979 Peterson 44
Beneteau First 44.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | Beneteau First 44.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Beneteau |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and Beneteau First 44.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Beneteau First 44.7 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1979 Peterson 44 measures 13.41m (44.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Beneteau First 44.7 at 13.48m (44.2ft) with a 4.12m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 0.07m longer than the 1979 Peterson 44. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 8% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Peterson 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.31 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 44.7, with an SA/D of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Peterson 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The Beneteau First 44.7 has a comfort ratio of 14.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Peterson 44 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The Beneteau First 44.7 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Peterson 44 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 First 44.7 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 First 44.7 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.