Beneteau First 36.7 vs Hanse 400 — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
Hanse 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | Hanse 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 2002–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 12.10 m (39.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 10.60 m (34.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and Hanse 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 400 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hanse 400 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 36.7 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.58m, compared to the Hanse 400 at 12.10m (39.7ft) with a 3.80m beam. The Hanse 400 is 0.85m longer than the Beneteau First 36.7. The Hanse 400 displaces approximately 31% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.46 and 65.0 m² of sail area. The Hanse 400, with an SA/D of 17.87 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 36.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Hanse 400 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 30.9% for the Hanse 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 36.7 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Hanse 400 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 400 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 36.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 400 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.