1979 Peterson 44 vs Beneteau First 40 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Peterson 44 | Beneteau First 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Beneteau |
| Year | 1979–1986 | 2006–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,979 kg (22,000 lbs) | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Peterson 44 and Beneteau First 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Peterson 44 is a 1970s design by Peterson from USA, while the Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1979 Peterson 44 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Beneteau First 40 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 40 at 12.16m (39.9ft) with a 3.80m beam. The 1979 Peterson 44 is 1.25m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The 1979 Peterson 44 displaces approximately 43% 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 40, with an SA/D of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 40 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 40 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 40.9% for the 1979 Peterson 44 and 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40, 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 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L water and 150L 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 40 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 40 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: 1979 Peterson 44 · Beneteau First 40