Beneteau First 40 vs 2012 Sabre 48 — Comparison
2012 Sabre 48
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 2012 Sabre 48 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Sabre |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 14.63 m (48.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 13,608 kg (30,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 2012 Sabre 48 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2012 Sabre 48 is a modern offering from Sabre from USA. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2012 Sabre 48 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2012 Sabre 48 at 14.63m (48.0ft) with a 4.30m beam. The 2012 Sabre 48 is 2.47m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The 2012 Sabre 48 displaces approximately 94% 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 2012 Sabre 48, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 96.0 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 2012 Sabre 48 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 38.3% for the 2012 Sabre 48, 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 2012 Sabre 48 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L water and 284L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2012 Sabre 48 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 · 2012 Sabre 48