Beneteau First 40 vs 2004 Najad 405 — Comparison
Beneteau First 40
2004 Najad 405
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 2004 Najad 405 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Najad |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2004–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 12.40 m (40.7 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.82 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 73.0 m² (786 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 2004 Najad 405 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2004 Najad 405 is a 2000s offering from Najad from Sweden. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2004 Najad 405 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2004 Najad 405 at 12.40m (40.7ft) with a 3.82m beam. The 2004 Najad 405 is 0.24m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The 2004 Najad 405 displaces approximately 31% 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 2004 Najad 405, with an SA/D of 16.89 and 73.0 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 2004 Najad 405 has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 39.1% for the 2004 Najad 405, 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 2004 Najad 405 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Najad 405 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.