Beneteau First 44.7 vs 1998 Feeling 44 — Comparison
Beneteau First 44.7
1998 Feeling 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 1998 Feeling 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Feeling |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 1998–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 1998 Feeling 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1998 Feeling 44 was designed by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the 1998 Feeling 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 0.07m longer than the 1998 Feeling 44. The 1998 Feeling 44 displaces approximately 14% 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 1998 Feeling 44, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 1998 Feeling 44 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44, 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 1998 Feeling 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Feeling 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.