2002 Beneteau First 40.7 vs 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 — Comparison
2002 Beneteau First 40.7
2012 X-Yachts Xc 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 | 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | X-Yachts |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Denmark |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Niels Jeppesen |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.73 m (41.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 9,800 kg (21,605 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 is a modern offering from X-Yachts from Denmark. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 was designed by Niels Jeppesen.
In terms of size, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 at 12.73m (41.8ft) with a 3.93m beam. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 is 0.54m longer than the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 displaces approximately 39% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.49 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42, with an SA/D of 17.52 and 79.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 has a comfort ratio of 18.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and 36.7% for the 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 160L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 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 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 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.