Beneteau First 44.7 vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS — Comparison
Beneteau First 44.7
2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 12.00 m (39.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 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 | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 180 L (47.6 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS is 0.24m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS, with an SA/D of 18.64 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 33.3% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS, 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 180L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45 DS 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.