Beneteau First 40 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Valiant |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 0.88m longer than the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 4% 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 40 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37