Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Beneteau First 44.7 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Beneteau First 44.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Beneteau |
| Year | 2017 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Beneteau First 44.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Beneteau First 44.7 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Beneteau First 44.7 at 13.48m (44.2ft) with a 4.12m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 1.98m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The Beneteau First 44.7 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 44.7, with an SA/D of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Beneteau First 44.7 has a comfort ratio of 14.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Beneteau First 44.7 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 44.7 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 44.7 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 Oceanis 38.1 · Beneteau First 44.7