Beneteau First 40 vs 2015 ClubSwan 36 — Comparison
Beneteau First 40
2015 ClubSwan 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 2015 ClubSwan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Finland |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Juan Kouyoumdjian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.30 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 4 |
| Cabins | 3 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 2015 ClubSwan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2015 ClubSwan 36 is a modern offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2015 ClubSwan 36 at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.30m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 1.16m longer than the 2015 ClubSwan 36. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 46% 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 2015 ClubSwan 36, with an SA/D of 23.21 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 35.4% for the 2015 ClubSwan 36, 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 40L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 40 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 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.