Beneteau First 44.7 vs 2006 Tartan 4400 — Comparison
Beneteau First 44.7
2006 Tartan 4400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 2006 Tartan 4400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Tartan |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2006–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.11 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.23 m (7.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 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) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 416 L (109.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 2006 Tartan 4400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2006 Tartan 4400 is a 2000s offering from Tartan from USA. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2006 Tartan 4400 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the 2006 Tartan 4400 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.11m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 0.07m longer than the 2006 Tartan 4400. The 2006 Tartan 4400 displaces approximately 23% 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 2006 Tartan 4400, with an SA/D of 17.71 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 2006 Tartan 4400 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 40.0% for the 2006 Tartan 4400, 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 2006 Tartan 4400 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 416L water and 230L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2006 Tartan 4400 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.