FIRST 40.7 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 39.25 ft |
| LWL | 34.83 ft |
| Beam | 12.33 ft |
| Draft | 7.75 ft |
| Displacement | 15,211 lb |
| Ballast | 5,953.6 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.9 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Pmainsail luff | 19.52 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 17.72 ft |
About the FIRST 40.7 (BENETEAU)
Farr design #354. Shallow draft version with Iron Keel - draft: 6.17'/1.88m. Not the same as an earlier (1994) Beneteau model called the IMS 40.7.
Designed by Bruce Farr and built by Beneteau in France, the First 40.7 is a performance-oriented fractional sloop with 550 hulls built in 1997. This single-year production run represents a specific iteration of the popular First 40 series, known for its racing pedigree and fractional rig configuration.
- Best for:
- This boat suits performance-minded coastal cruisers and club racers who prioritize speed and handling over heavy bluewater comfort, as indicated by its low D/L ratio of 160.71 and high SA/D ratio of 21.08. It is well-suited for owners willing to perform proactive maintenance on complex systems like the rudder and deck hardware.
- Bluewater capability:
- While the boat's light displacement of 15211.0 lb and capsize ratio of 1.99 suggest it is not designed for heavy offshore passages, its fractional rig and fin keel provide excellent upwind performance for coastal and nearshore cruising. Owners report significant structural concerns, particularly regarding the keel sump and deck core, which must be addressed before considering extended offshore use.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau First 40.5 and First 40.9, which share the same hull mold and designer lineage but differ in rig configuration and production years. Other contemporaries in the performance cruiser category include the J/120 and the O'Day 39, which offer similar fractional sloop characteristics from the late 1990s.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(276 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 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 7.8 |
| 60° | 4.5 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| 75° | 4.7 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| 90° | 4.5 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 8.7 | 8.9 |
| 110° | 4.4 | 6.0 | 7.2 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.1 | 9.3 |
| 120° | 4.2 | 5.8 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.6 | 10.0 |
| 135° | 3.7 | 5.2 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 9.6 | 10.8 |
| 150° | 3.1 | 4.4 | 5.6 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 9.1 | 10.2 |
| Beat VMG | 2.8 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| Run VMG | 2.7 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 8.4 | 9.1 |
Images
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 40.7 (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 39.25ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
12 reported issues across 5 systems for the FIRST 40.7 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST 40.7 (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 12 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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