2002 Beneteau First 40.7 vs Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 — Comparison
2002 Beneteau First 40.7
Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 | Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Berret-Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 13.14 m (43.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 420 L (111.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 was designed by Berret-Racoupeau.
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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 at 14.60m (47.9ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is 2.41m longer than the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7. The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 displaces approximately 56% 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, with an SA/D of 19.10 and 93.0 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 has a comfort ratio of 12.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and 30.0% for the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 420L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 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: The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 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: 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 · Beneteau Oceanis 46.1