FIRST 45F5 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 46.59 ft |
| LWL | 39.04 ft |
| Beam | 13.94 ft |
| Draft | 7.05 ft |
| Displacement | 23,148.54 lb |
| Ballast | 8,377.5 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Pmainsail luff | 20.6 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 18.7 ft |
| Mainsail | 570.49 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 624.31 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 1,291.67 sq ft |
| SA total | 1,288 sq ft |
About the FIRST 45F5 (BENETEAU)
Also called FIRST 45 (FARR). Wing keel draft: 1.8 m / 5.9 ft Deep keel (lead) draft: 2.4 m / 7.87 ft Sail area: -Main: 53 m² / 570.5 ft² -150% Genoa: 58 m² / 624.3 ft² -Spinnaker: 120 m² / 1,291.7 ft² Racing rig: Sail area: 1,288 ft² I = 55.12 ft / 16.80 m J = 16.08 ft / 4.90 m P = 58.40 ft / 17.80 m E = 19.03 ft / 5.80 m
Designed by Bruce Farr and built by Beneteau in France, the First 45F5 is a high-performance fractional sloop with a production run limited to the year 1990. With a displacement of 23148.54 lb and a LOA of 46.59 ft, this vessel represents a specific era of performance cruising, though the exact total hulls built remains unverified in available records.
- Best for:
- This boat suits experienced sailors seeking a fast, responsive coastal cruiser with strong downwind performance, particularly those willing to manage the maintenance demands of a high-performance rig and older fiberglass construction.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 1.96 and a comfort ratio of 25.93, the boat is capable of offshore passages but requires careful attention to its fin keel integrity and rudder assembly due to reported structural concerns.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include the Beneteau First 40.7 and First 36.7 from the same era, as they share the Bruce Farr design philosophy and fractional rig configuration, offering similar performance characteristics but with different displacement and beam ratios.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(8 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° | 5.3 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.0 |
| 60° | 5.6 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| 75° | 5.9 | 6.9 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.7 |
| 90° | 5.8 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 8.9 |
| 110° | 5.7 | 7.0 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.3 |
| 120° | 5.5 | 6.8 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.6 |
| 135° | 5.0 | 6.1 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 9.3 |
| 150° | 4.2 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.8 |
| Beat VMG | 3.5 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 5.3 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 5.7 |
| Run VMG | 3.6 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 6.2 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 8.3 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 45F5 (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 46.59ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
6 reported issues across 5 systems for the FIRST 45F5 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST 45F5 (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 6 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 45F5 (BENETEAU)?
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Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Perkins — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the FIRST 45F5 (BENETEAU)
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