FIRST 40 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 40.16 ft |
| LWL | 35 ft |
| Beam | 12.75 ft |
| Draft | 8.04 ft |
| Displacement | 16,614 lb |
| Ballast | 6,610.7 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.9 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Pmainsail luff | 20.37 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 17.68 ft |
| Mainsail | 495.14 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 559.72 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 1,377.78 sq ft |
About the FIRST 40 (BENETEAU)
Shallow draft: 6.33' / 1.93m Ballast: 7369 lbs./3343 kgs. Standard rig: Total sail area 98 m2 / 1054.86 sq.ft. Mainsail 46 m2 / 495.14 sq.ft Genoa 52 m2 / 559.72 sq.ft. Spinnaker 128 m2 / 1377.78 sq.ft. _____________________________ Racing rig: Total sail area 91 m2 / 979.51 sq.ft. Mainsail 50 m2 / 538.19 sq.ft. Genoa 41 m2 / 441.32 sq.ft. Spinnaker 132 m2 / 1420.83 sq.ft.
Designed by Bruce Farr and built by Beneteau starting in 2007, the First 40 is a performance-oriented cruiser with a fractional sloop rig and a displacement of 16614.0 lb. While the exact build count is unspecified, the model is characterized by a 40.16 ft LOA, 12.75 ft beam, and a max draft of 8.04 ft, offering a balance of speed and comfort with a comfort ratio of 23.68.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and performance-oriented sailors who prioritize sailing dynamics and modern amenities, as evidenced by high adoption rates for solar panels (593 mentions), watermakers (296 mentions), and bow thrusters (285 mentions). It is well-suited for those willing to manage specific structural maintenance issues in exchange for a responsive, well-equipped platform.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 2.0 and a displacement of 16614.0 lb, the hull form suggests reasonable offshore stability, though critical structural concerns regarding deck core moisture and rudder shaft integrity require rigorous verification before extended bluewater passages.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats from this era include the Beneteau Oceanis 40 and the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 40.9, which share similar fractional sloop rigs and target the same coastal cruising market with comparable beam and displacement profiles.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(69 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 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.3 | 5.7 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| 60° | 4.5 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| 75° | 4.7 | 6.2 | 7.2 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.9 |
| 90° | 4.8 | 6.4 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 9.4 |
| 110° | 4.6 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 10.3 |
| 120° | 4.5 | 6.1 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.4 | 10.2 | 11.1 |
| 135° | 3.9 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 10.3 | 12.4 |
| 150° | 3.2 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 6.8 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10.9 |
| Beat VMG | 2.7 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Run VMG | 2.8 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.9 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 8.6 | 9.6 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 40 (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 40.16ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
23 reported issues across 9 systems for the FIRST 40 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST 40 (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 23 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 40 (BENETEAU)?
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Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the FIRST 40 (BENETEAU)
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