Beneteau First 44.7 vs Hanse 470 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | Hanse 470 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hanse |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2013–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 14.45 m (47.4 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 12.85 m (42.2 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.42 m (14.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 11,800 kg (26,015 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,700 kg (8,157 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 430 L (113.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and Hanse 470 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Hanse 470 is a modern offering from Hanse from Germany. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Hanse 470 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 470 at 14.45m (47.4ft) with a 4.42m beam. The Hanse 470 is 0.97m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The Hanse 470 displaces approximately 28% 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 Hanse 470, with an SA/D of 18.81 and 96.0 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 470 has a comfort ratio of 14.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 31.4% for the Hanse 470, 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 470 offers 10 berths in 3 cabins with 430L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 44.7 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 Hanse 470 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 First 44.7 · Hanse 470