FIRST CLASS 10 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 34.28 ft |
| LWL | 32.32 ft |
| Beam | 9.78 ft |
| Draft | 5.9 ft |
| Displacement | 5,512 lb |
| Ballast | 2,204.8 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.6 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Mainsail | 304.62 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 358.44 sq ft |
About the FIRST CLASS 10 (BENETEAU)
Sail area: -Main: 28.3 m² / 304.62 ft² -Genoa: 33.3 m² / 358.44 ft² Thanks to First Class 10 owner David Foy for sending in the photo.
Designed by Groupe Finot/Jacques Fauroux and built by Beneteau (FRA) from 1982–1987, the First Class 10 is a compact cruiser with 114 hulls produced. Its lightweight displacement of 5512.0 lb and high SA/D ratio of 34.1 reflect a design prioritizing speed and coastal agility over heavy offshore stability.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend racers who value performance and ease of handling, particularly those comfortable with regular maintenance of composite structures.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low D/L ratio of 72.89 and a capsize ratio of 2.22, the boat is less suited for heavy offshore passages compared to heavier displacement designs, making it best for protected coastal waters.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other early-1980s European performance cruisers like the Beneteau First Class 8 or 12, as well as the O'Day 32, due to similar fractional sloop rigs and emphasis on light displacement sailing.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(16 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° | 4.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.3 |
| 60° | 4.2 | 5.6 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| 75° | 4.4 | 5.8 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.2 |
| 90° | 4.2 | 5.7 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.8 |
| 110° | 4.1 | 5.6 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.4 | 8.9 | 9.3 |
| 120° | 4.0 | 5.5 | 6.6 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 9.4 | 10.1 |
| 135° | 3.5 | 4.9 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 9.9 | 12.3 |
| 150° | 2.8 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 9.1 | 11.2 |
| Beat VMG | 2.5 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Run VMG | 2.5 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 6.2 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 8.1 | 9.7 |
Estimated Value
Limited DataEstimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 34.28ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
21 reported issues across 9 systems for the FIRST CLASS 10 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST CLASS 10 (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 21 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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