1987 Beneteau First 345 vs Hanse 400 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | Hanse 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2002–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 12.10 m (39.7 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.60 m (34.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and Hanse 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 400 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The Hanse 400 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Hanse 400 at 12.10m (39.7ft) with a 3.80m beam. The Hanse 400 is 1.65m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 345. The Hanse 400 displaces approximately 40% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The Hanse 400, with an SA/D of 17.87 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hanse 400 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 30.9% for the Hanse 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Hanse 400 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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 Hanse 400 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 400 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: 1987 Beneteau First 345 · Hanse 400