Beneteau First 44.7 vs Catalina 440 — Comparison
Beneteau First 44.7
Catalina 440
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | Catalina 440 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.14 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.96 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 379 L (100.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and Catalina 440 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 440 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 440 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the Catalina 440 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.14m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 0.07m longer than the Catalina 440. The Catalina 440 displaces approximately 18% 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 Catalina 440, with an SA/D of 16.96 and 82.0 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 Catalina 440 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 37.5% for the Catalina 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 Catalina 440 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 379L water and 189L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 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.