Beneteau First 44.7 vs 2008 Sabre 452 — Comparison
Beneteau First 44.7
2008 Sabre 452
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 2008 Sabre 452 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Sabre |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2008–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 2008 Sabre 452 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2008 Sabre 452 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2008 Sabre 452 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 2008 Sabre 452 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.09m beam. The 2008 Sabre 452 is 0.24m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The 2008 Sabre 452 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 2008 Sabre 452, with an SA/D of 16.91 and 84.0 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 2008 Sabre 452 has a comfort ratio of 17.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 38.0% for the 2008 Sabre 452, 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 2008 Sabre 452 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 227L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Sabre 452 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.