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288data points analyzed by Sailpages.com to compile this FIRST 405 (BENETEAU) buyer’s report
FIRST 405 (BENETEAU)

FIRST 405 (BENETEAU)

Beneteau🇫🇷· Design: Jean Berret
from 1986
$2.7K – $7.3K est. annual maintenance
Offshore CruisermonoMasthead SloopFin

Specifications

Hull

LOA40.67 ft
LWL35.5 ft
Beam12.75 ft
Draft7.2 ft
Shoal Draft5.5 ft(1.69 m)
Displacement18,500 lb
Ballast7,694.2 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL8.0 kn

Rig & Sails

Iforetriangle height52.1 ft
Jforetriangle base14.8 ft
Pmainsail luff46.2 ft
Emainsail foot15 ft

About the FIRST 405 (BENETEAU)

Sailpages Buyer's Take

Designed by Jean Berret and built by Beneteau (FRA), the First 405 is a classic 1986 masthead sloop with a production run of 1986. With a displacement of 18500.0 lb and a beam of 12.75 ft, this vessel represents a significant era of French production cruising yachts.

Best for:
This boat suits coastal cruisers and those seeking a spacious, comfortable liveaboard platform, evidenced by the high prevalence of solar panel (138), watermaker (96), and davit (122) installations among owners.
Bluewater capability:
With a capsize ratio of 1.93 and a comfort ratio of 26.01, the boat is moderately stable for offshore passages, though its fin keel and 7.2 ft max draft limit access to shallow anchorages.
Comparables:
Comparable to other late-80s European production cruisers like the Beneteau Oceanis 40 or Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42, sharing similar beam-to-length ratios and interior volume priorities over pure performance.

Performance

Comfort26.0
Capsize1.93
SA/Disp15.6
Disp/Len185
Bal/Disp41.6

ORC Performance Data(8 certificates)

Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.

Polar Diagram

2468100°30°60°90°120°150°180°WIND
4kn6kn8kn10kn12kn14kn16kn20kn24knbeat VMGrun VMG

Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC

Racing Ratings

GPH658.2 s/miOSN631.9

Triple Number

LowMedHighOffshore0.76831.02031.1498Inshore0.59360.81990.9504

ORC Measured

Displacement8559 kg (18873 lb)Wetted surface31.8 m² (342 ft²)Stability index19.6

Sail Areas (ORC)

Main38.0 m² (409 ft²)Genoa43.4 m² (467 ft²)Spinnaker51.8 m² (558 ft²)Asymmetric37.8 m² (407 ft²)

Speed Table (kn)

TWA \ TWS468101214162024
52°3.34.65.56.26.76.97.07.27.1
60°3.64.85.86.46.97.17.37.47.4
75°3.75.06.06.77.07.37.57.77.8
90°3.95.36.47.07.37.57.67.98.1
110°4.05.46.67.27.67.98.18.48.6
120°3.85.36.47.17.57.98.28.79.1
135°3.44.75.96.87.37.78.08.69.5
150°2.84.05.16.06.87.27.58.18.7
Beat VMG2.13.03.74.24.64.84.95.04.9
Run VMG2.43.54.45.25.96.36.77.37.8

Pricing

We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 405 (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 40.67ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.

$/ft/mo
Annual Maintenance
$2.7K – $7.3K
Hull, rigging, sails, engine service
Annual Docking
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Annual Insurance
N/A
No price data available

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

29 reported issues across 9 systems for the FIRST 405 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.

7 critical11 major11 minor
Rigging6Deck4Engine4Structural4Rudder3Plumbing3Keel2Hull2Electrical1

Unlock the full inspection report

Thinking of buying a FIRST 405 (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 29 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

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Which engine powers your FIRST 405 (BENETEAU)?

We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.

Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Perkins — is it one of these?

Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.

Used sails that fit the FIRST 405 (BENETEAU)

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