Beneteau First 44.7 vs Dufour 470 — Comparison
Dufour 470
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 44.7 | Dufour 470 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dufour |
| Year | 1999–2004 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) | 14.23 m (46.7 ft) |
| LWL | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) | 4.39 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) | 94.0 m² (1,012 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 440 L (116.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 44.7 and Dufour 470 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Dufour 470 is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Beneteau First 44.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Dufour 470 was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 44.7 measures 13.48m (44.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.12m, compared to the Dufour 470 at 14.23m (46.7ft) with a 4.39m beam. The Dufour 470 is 0.75m longer than the Beneteau First 44.7. The Dufour 470 displaces approximately 22% 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 Dufour 470, with an SA/D of 19.07 and 94.0 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 Dufour 470 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7 and 31.3% for the Dufour 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 Dufour 470 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 440L water and 220L 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 Dufour 470 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 44.7 · Dufour 470