Beneteau First 44.7 vs 1986 Westerly Oceanlord — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 1986 Westerly Oceanlord |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Westerly |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 1986–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 9,980 kg (22,002 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 182 L (48.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 1986 Westerly Oceanlord represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.81m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 1.44m longer than the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord displaces approximately 8% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 44.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of sail area. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The Beneteau First 44.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 44.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 36.4% for the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 44.7 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 182L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 44.7 · 1986 Westerly Oceanlord