Beneteau First 44.7 vs Hanse 430 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | Hanse 430 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 81.0 m² (872 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) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and Hanse 430 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 430 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hanse 430 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the Hanse 430 at 13.10m (43.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 0.38m longer than the Hanse 430.
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 Hanse 430, with an SA/D of 18.74 and 81.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 Hanse 430 has a comfort ratio of 15.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 31.5% for the Hanse 430, 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 Hanse 430 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hanse 430 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: 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 44.7 · Hanse 430