Beneteau First 47.7 vs 2017 Dehler 46 — Comparison
2017 Dehler 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 47.7 | 2017 Dehler 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Dehler |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) | 14.10 m (46.3 ft) |
| LWL | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 47.7 and 2017 Dehler 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2017 Dehler 46 is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The Beneteau First 47.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2017 Dehler 46 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 47.7 measures 14.69m (48.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the 2017 Dehler 46 at 14.10m (46.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Beneteau First 47.7 is 0.59m longer than the 2017 Dehler 46. The Beneteau First 47.7 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 47.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.93 and 105.0 m² of sail area. The 2017 Dehler 46, with an SA/D of 20.34 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 47.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2017 Dehler 46 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7 and 33.3% for the 2017 Dehler 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 47.7 provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 2017 Dehler 46 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 47.7 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 47.7 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 47.7 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 First 47.7 · 2017 Dehler 46