Beneteau First 40 vs Hanse 388 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Hanse 388 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.73 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 260 L (68.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Hanse 388 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 388 is a modern offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hanse 388 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 388 at 11.40m (37.4ft) with a 3.73m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 0.76m longer than the Hanse 388. The Hanse 388 displaces approximately 3% 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 388, with an SA/D of 17.17 and 63.0 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 388 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 30.6% for the Hanse 388, 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 388 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 388 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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