FIRST 456 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 45.5 ft |
| LWL | 39.33 ft |
| Beam | 14.08 ft |
| Draft | 8 ft |
| Shoal Draft | 6.42 ft(1.96 m) |
| Displacement | 26,500 lb |
| Ballast | 8,999.4 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 59.6 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 18.14 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 52.81 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 16.3 ft |
Engine
| Perkins | 4-10850 hpSee all 173 parts → |
About the FIRST 456 (BENETEAU)
The FIRST 456 was available with many different rig and keel options/combinations. Shoal draft keel and keel/cb. At least 3 different masthead rigs. KEEL/CB BD: 8.00'/2.44m; BU: 5.08'/1.55m Tot. SA (100%): 970.97 ft2 / 90.20 m2 TALL RIG 2: I: 60.80'/18.53m J: 17.60'/5.36m P: 54.30'/16.55m E: 16.30'/4.97m Tot. SA (100%): 977.59 ft2/90.82 m2
Designed by German Frers and built by Beneteau in France, the First 456 is a 45.5 ft masthead sloop with a production run starting in 1982. With a displacement of 26500.0 lb and a beam of 14.08 ft, this vessel represents a substantial cruising platform from the early 1980s, though the exact total hulls built is unknown.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal and offshore cruisers seeking a spacious, heavy-displacement vessel with a comfortable motion, as indicated by its 29.38 comfort ratio. It is well-suited for couples or families who prioritize interior volume and stability over high-performance racing metrics.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 26500.0 lb, a capsize ratio of 1.89, and a fin keel with 8.0 ft max draft, the First 456 is structurally robust for offshore passages, though potential keel sump cracking requires careful verification.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau First 405 and First 365, which share the same German Frers design lineage and similar heavy-displacement cruising characteristics. Other contemporaries like the Hallberg-Rassy 42 or Tartan 42 offer similar bluewater credentials but with different construction methods.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(4 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° | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 |
| 60° | 5.8 | 6.8 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| 75° | 6.0 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.6 |
| 90° | 5.9 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.9 |
| 110° | 5.5 | 6.8 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 9.3 |
| 120° | 5.4 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 8.7 | 9.4 |
| 135° | 4.8 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 9.2 |
| 150° | 4.1 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.7 |
| Beat VMG | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.3 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.7 |
| Run VMG | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 8.2 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 456 (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 45.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
5 reported issues across 4 systems for the FIRST 456 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST 456 (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 5 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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Engine Parts & Maintenance
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Used sails that fit the FIRST 456 (BENETEAU)
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…