Beneteau First 40 vs 2008 X-Yachts X-46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 2008 X-Yachts X-46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | X-Yachts |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2008–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Denmark |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Niels Jeppesen |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 13.95 m (45.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 12.00 m (39.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 93.0 m² (1,001 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 2008 X-Yachts X-46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2008 X-Yachts X-46 is a 2000s offering from X-Yachts from Denmark. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2008 X-Yachts X-46 was designed by Niels Jeppesen.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2008 X-Yachts X-46 at 13.95m (45.8ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 2008 X-Yachts X-46 is 1.79m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The 2008 X-Yachts X-46 displaces approximately 57% 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 2008 X-Yachts X-46, with an SA/D of 19.10 and 93.0 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 2008 X-Yachts X-46 has a comfort ratio of 16.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 38.2% for the 2008 X-Yachts X-46, 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 2008 X-Yachts X-46 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 X-Yachts X-46 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 · 2008 X-Yachts X-46