1987 Beneteau First 38 vs 2007 Moody 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 2007 Moody 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Moody |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2007–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 13.95 m (45.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.89 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 14,500 kg (31,967 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 2007 Moody 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2007 Moody 46 is a 2000s offering from Moody from Germany. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The 2007 Moody 46 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the 2007 Moody 46 at 13.95m (45.8ft) with a 4.49m beam. The 2007 Moody 46 is 2.37m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 38. The 2007 Moody 46 displaces approximately 106% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The 2007 Moody 46, with an SA/D of 16.40 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2007 Moody 46 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 35.9% for the 2007 Moody 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The 2007 Moody 46 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 300L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2007 Moody 46 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2007 Moody 46 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 38 · 2007 Moody 46