Beneteau First 44.7 vs 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 1986–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 10.20 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F is a 1980s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.90m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 0.68m longer than the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F displaces approximately 14% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 44.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of sail area. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, with an SA/D of 16.52 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 44.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 44.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 40.0% for the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 44.7 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F 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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