Beneteau First 40 vs 2017 Dehler 46 — Comparison
2017 Dehler 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | 2017 Dehler 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dehler |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 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 | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and 2017 Dehler 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2017 Dehler 46 is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2017 Dehler 46 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the 2017 Dehler 46 at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The 2017 Dehler 46 is 1.94m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The 2017 Dehler 46 displaces approximately 50% 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 2017 Dehler 46, with an SA/D of 20.34 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. 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 2017 Dehler 46 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 33.3% for the 2017 Dehler 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 2017 Dehler 46 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 130L 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 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 · 2017 Dehler 46