Beneteau First 40 vs 2005 Contest 46CS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 2005 Contest 46CS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Contest |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2005–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Netherlands |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.15 m (13.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 13,500 kg (29,762 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 2005 Contest 46CS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2005 Contest 46CS is a 2000s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2005 Contest 46CS was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2005 Contest 46CS at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.15m beam. The 2005 Contest 46CS is 1.94m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The 2005 Contest 46CS displaces approximately 93% 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 2005 Contest 46CS, with an SA/D of 16.66 and 93.0 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 2005 Contest 46CS has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.70. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 38.5% for the 2005 Contest 46CS, 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 2005 Contest 46CS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 350L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Contest 46CS 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 · 2005 Contest 46CS