Beneteau First 40 vs 1992 Moody 41 — Comparison
Beneteau First 40
1992 Moody 41
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 1992 Moody 41 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Moody |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 9,800 kg (21,605 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 360 L (95.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 1992 Moody 41 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1992 Moody 41 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1992 Moody 41 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 1992 Moody 41 at 12.50m (41.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1992 Moody 41 is 0.34m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The 1992 Moody 41 displaces approximately 40% 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 1992 Moody 41, with an SA/D of 15.53 and 70.0 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 1992 Moody 41 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 38.8% for the 1992 Moody 41, 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 1992 Moody 41 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 360L water and 180L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Moody 41 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.