Beneteau First 47.7 vs Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 — Comparison
Beneteau First 47.7
Jeanneau Sun Loft 47
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 47.7 | Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Jeanneau |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) |
| LWL | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 12 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 47.7 and Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The Beneteau First 47.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 47.7 measures 14.69m (48.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 at 14.20m (46.6ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Beneteau First 47.7 is 0.49m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 47.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.93 and 105.0 m² of sail area. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47, with an SA/D of 17.55 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 47.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 47.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has a comfort ratio of 13.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7 and 27.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 47.7 provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 offers 12 berths in 4 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 47.7 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.