FIRST 44 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 46.42 ft |
| LWL | 42.06 ft |
| Beam | 13.94 ft |
| Draft | 7.05 ft |
| Displacement | 23,501.28 lb |
| Ballast | 7,276 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.7 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Mainsail | 570.49 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 1,829.86 sq ft |
About the FIRST 44 (BENETEAU)
Outside and interior design: Lorenzo Argento Compatible with Performance rig and keel. Displacement is lightship Sail area: - Main: 53 m² / 570 ft² - Genoa: Furler below deck: 53 m² / 570 ft² Furler under deck: 50 m² / 539 ft² (J - 5.6 m / 18.33 ft) - Code 0: 95 m² / 1.022 ft² - Asymmetric spinnaker: 170 m² / 1,830 ft² Water tank options: 200L/53 gal or 240L/63 gal
Designed by Biscontini Design Group and built by Beneteau (FRA), the First 44 is a modern cruising yacht with production starting in 2022. While the exact build count is currently unknown, the model represents a significant entry in the 46-foot fractional sloop segment.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who prioritize interior volume and modern amenities over heavy offshore displacement. Its fractional rig and relatively light displacement make it responsive for short-handed sailing.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 23501.28 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.95, the boat is moderately capable offshore, though its fin keel and relatively low D/L ratio of 141.01 suggest it is optimized for coastal performance rather than heavy ocean passage-making.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 and Jeanneau 44.2, as these models share similar fractional sloop rigs, beamy hulls, and a focus on interior space over heavy bluewater construction.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(2 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° | 3.9 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.0 |
| 60° | 4.2 | 5.7 | 6.8 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.4 | 8.4 |
| 75° | 4.4 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 8.9 | 9.0 |
| 90° | 4.4 | 6.0 | 7.2 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 9.6 |
| 110° | 4.6 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 8.3 | 8.8 | 9.1 | 9.4 | 9.8 | 10.2 |
| 120° | 4.5 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 8.3 | 8.8 | 9.3 | 9.7 | 10.3 | 10.8 |
| 135° | 3.8 | 5.5 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 9.1 | 9.6 | 10.7 | 12.3 |
| 150° | 3.3 | 4.7 | 5.9 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.7 | 10.9 |
| Beat VMG | 2.4 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Run VMG | 2.8 | 4.0 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.5 | 9.4 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 44 (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 46.42ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
17 reported issues across 8 systems for the FIRST 44 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST 44 (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 17 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 44 (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, Volvo Penta — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the FIRST 44 (BENETEAU)
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