Beneteau First 40 vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 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) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II at 13.15m (43.1ft) with a 4.05m beam. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is 0.99m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, with an SA/D of 16.75 and 84.0 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has a comfort ratio of 20.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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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