The Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994 vs Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994 at 44,8 ft versus Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 at 47,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 tips the scales at 27 765 lbs - 7 265 lbs less than the Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994 at 20 500 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 tops out at 75 hp. Engine specs for the Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 52 gal and 53 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 displaces 27 765 lbs - a 7 265-lb difference over the Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994 at 20 500 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 draws 7,1 ft, compared to 5,8 ft for the Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994. That 1,4-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994 is rigged as a Masthead-sloop while the Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 carries Sloop rigging - a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. The Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 has a documented auxiliary engine of 75 hp.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994 carries 120 gallons versus 98 gallons on the Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 - a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Oceanis 48 2011 is the offshore and bluewater choice - at 27 765 lbs displacement and 47 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau Oceanis 440 1994 at 20 500 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option - easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.