Beneteau First 44.7 vs 2002 Najad 440 — Comparison
Beneteau First 44.7
2002 Najad 440
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 2002 Najad 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Najad |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2002–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 2002 Najad 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2002 Najad 440 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2002 Najad 440 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 2002 Najad 440 at 13.50m (44.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 2002 Najad 440 is 0.02m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The 2002 Najad 440 displaces approximately 25% 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 2002 Najad 440, with an SA/D of 17.55 and 88.0 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 2002 Najad 440 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 39.1% for the 2002 Najad 440, 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 2002 Najad 440 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 480L water and 280L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2002 Najad 440 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.