Beneteau First 40 vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 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 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 44 is 1.04m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 36% 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 Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, 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 Dufour 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 44 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 40 · Dufour 44