FIRST CLASS EUROPE (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 37.34 ft |
| LWL | 34.32 ft |
| Beam | 11.06 ft |
| Draft | 6.23 ft |
| Displacement | 6,834 lb |
| Ballast | 2,093.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.9 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Pmainsail luff | 17.72 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 16.73 ft |
About the FIRST CLASS EUROPE (BENETEAU)
Built specifically for (one-design) international match and fleet racing events.
Designed by Groupe Finot and built by Beneteau (FRA) from 1989–1991, the First Class Europe is a fractional sloop with a displacement of 6834.0 lb and a D/L ratio of 75.47. While the exact hulls built count is unknown, this model represents a specific era of Beneteau's performance-oriented cruising designs.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and short-handed sailors who prioritize speed and handling over heavy offshore comfort, given its relatively low displacement and high SA/D ratio of 27.45.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.33 and a comfort ratio of 12.21, the boat is capable of offshore passages but is better suited for coastal and nearshore cruising due to its lighter displacement and fin keel design.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other late-80s/early-90s Beneteau models like the First Class 36 or similar Finot-designed boats from that era, as they share the same designer philosophy and fractional rig configuration.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(11 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° | 4.1 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.4 | 7.3 |
| 60° | 4.3 | 5.8 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| 75° | 4.5 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| 90° | 4.4 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.0 |
| 110° | 4.3 | 5.9 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 8.8 | 9.1 | 9.6 | 9.9 |
| 120° | 4.1 | 5.7 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 8.9 | 9.5 | 10.4 | 11.2 |
| 135° | 3.6 | 5.1 | 6.3 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 8.5 | 9.1 | 10.8 | 13.3 |
| 150° | 2.9 | 4.2 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 7.2 | 7.8 | 8.3 | 9.5 | 11.7 |
| Beat VMG | 2.6 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 4.9 |
| Run VMG | 2.5 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 6.3 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 10.1 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST CLASS EUROPE (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 37.34ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
1 reported issues across 1 systems for the FIRST CLASS EUROPE (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST CLASS EUROPE (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 1 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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