Beneteau First 40 vs 1987 C&C 44 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 1987 C&C 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 1987–1993 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Canada |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 10,433 kg (23,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 80.0 m² (861 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 1987 C&C 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1987 C&C 44 is a 1980s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1987 C&C 44 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 1987 C&C 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The 1987 C&C 44 is 1.25m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The 1987 C&C 44 displaces approximately 49% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The 1987 C&C 44, with an SA/D of 17.02 and 80.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1987 C&C 44 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 41.3% for the 1987 C&C 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 1987 C&C 44 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 170L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 C&C 44 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 40 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 First 40 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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