Beneteau First 44.7 vs 2000 Najad 355 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 2000 Najad 355 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Najad |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2000–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 10.72 m (35.2 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 9.00 m (29.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 6,000 kg (13,228 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 2000 Najad 355 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2000 Najad 355 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2000 Najad 355 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the 2000 Najad 355 at 10.72m (35.2ft) with a 3.38m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 2.76m longer than the 2000 Najad 355. The Beneteau First 44.7 displaces approximately 53% 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 2000 Najad 355, with an SA/D of 15.69 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 2000 Najad 355 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 40.0% for the 2000 Najad 355, 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 2000 Najad 355 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2000 Najad 355 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 · 2000 Najad 355