Beneteau First 40 vs Beneteau First 47.7 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Beneteau First 47.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Beneteau First 47.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Beneteau First 47.7 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the Beneteau First 47.7 at 14.69m (48.2ft) with a 4.30m beam. The Beneteau First 47.7 is 2.53m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The Beneteau First 47.7 displaces approximately 64% 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 Beneteau First 47.7, with an SA/D of 20.93 and 105.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7, 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 Beneteau First 47.7 offers 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 40 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 Beneteau First 47.7 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 · Beneteau First 47.7