Beneteau First 44.7 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Beneteau First 44.7
2015 Elan 450
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 0.37m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 17% 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 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 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 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, 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 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2015 Elan 450 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.