Beneteau First 44.7 vs 2000 Sabre 386 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 2000 Sabre 386 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Sabre |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2000–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 60.5 m² (651 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 2000 Sabre 386 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2000 Sabre 386 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2000 Sabre 386 was designed by Jim Taylor.
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 Sabre 386 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 1.90m longer than the 2000 Sabre 386. The Beneteau First 44.7 displaces approximately 27% 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 Sabre 386, with an SA/D of 16.40 and 60.5 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 Sabre 386 has a comfort ratio of 19.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 40.6% for the 2000 Sabre 386, 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 Sabre 386 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2000 Sabre 386 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 Sabre 386