Beneteau First 44.7 vs Dufour 382 Grand Large — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | Dufour 382 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 260 L (68.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and Dufour 382 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 382 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Dufour 382 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the Dufour 382 Grand Large at 11.55m (37.9ft) with a 3.72m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 1.93m longer than the Dufour 382 Grand Large. The Beneteau First 44.7 displaces approximately 28% 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 Dufour 382 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.17 and 63.0 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 Dufour 382 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 30.6% for the Dufour 382 Grand Large, 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 Dufour 382 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 382 Grand Large 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.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 44.7 · Dufour 382 Grand Large