Beneteau First 40 vs Catalina 390 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Catalina 390 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Catalina |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 1997–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 8,256 kg (18,201 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 65.5 m² (705 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 265 L (70.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Catalina 390 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Catalina 390 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Catalina 390 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the Catalina 390 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 0.27m longer than the Catalina 390. The Catalina 390 displaces approximately 18% 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 Catalina 390, with an SA/D of 16.29 and 65.5 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 Catalina 390 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 39.6% for the Catalina 390, 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 Catalina 390 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Catalina 390 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 · Catalina 390