FIRST 18 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 18.04 ft |
| LWL | 16.57 ft |
| Beam | 7.87 ft |
| Draft | 3.61 ft/ 1.8 ft min |
| Displacement | 1,389 lb |
| Ballast | 397 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.5 kn |
About the FIRST 18 (BENETEAU)
Designed to Micro Class rule.
Designed by Jean-Marie Finot and built by Beneteau (FRA) from 1978–1981, the First 18 is a compact fractional sloop with 1065 hulls produced. Its lightweight displacement of 1389.0 lb and high SA/D ratio of 21.89 define it as a performance-oriented daysailer that prioritizes speed over heavy cruising comfort.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers, daysailers, and single-handers seeking a trailerable package with excellent windward performance. It is ideal for owners who prioritize ease of handling and storage over long-term offshore provisioning.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 1389.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.82, the First 18 is not recommended for bluewater cruising due to its light construction and limited storage capacity.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the O'Day 18 and Pearson 18, which share similar fractional sloop rigs and trailerable footprints. These models offer similar light-displacement performance characteristics for coastal racing and weekend cruising.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(3 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.5 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| 60° | 4.7 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| 75° | 4.9 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.7 |
| 90° | 4.9 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.6 |
| 110° | 5.0 | 5.7 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 9.0 |
| 120° | 4.9 | 5.6 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 7.8 | 8.7 | 10.6 |
| 135° | 4.5 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 12.3 |
| 150° | 3.9 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 10.3 |
| Beat VMG | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.5 |
| Run VMG | 3.4 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 9.0 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 18 (BENETEAU) yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 18.04ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
28 reported issues across 10 systems for the FIRST 18 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST 18 (BENETEAU)? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 28 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your FIRST 18 (BENETEAU)?
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Used sails that fit the FIRST 18 (BENETEAU)
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