Beneteau First 40 vs Hanse 445 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Hanse 445 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2012–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 10,100 kg (22,267 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 87.0 m² (937 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) | 370 L (97.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Hanse 445 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 445 is a modern offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hanse 445 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the Hanse 445 at 13.50m (44.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Hanse 445 is 1.34m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The Hanse 445 displaces approximately 44% 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 Hanse 445, with an SA/D of 18.91 and 87.0 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 Hanse 445 has a comfort ratio of 15.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 31.7% for the Hanse 445, 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 Hanse 445 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 370L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 445 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.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 40 · Hanse 445