2002 Beneteau First 40.7 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
2002 Beneteau First 40.7
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Elan |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Slovenia |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
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 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is 0.12m longer than the 2014 Elan 400. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 17% 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 2014 Elan 400, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 76.0 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 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, 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 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2014 Elan 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 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 · 2014 Elan 400