first 40 sailboat data

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Beneteau First 40.7 review: from the archive

• May 2, 2021

Since the launch of Bruce Farr’s design in 1999, nearly 700 Beneteau First 40.7s have been built. But what is responsible for the enduring appeal of this cruiser racer?

The Beneteau would have benifited from more weight on the rail. Credit: Beneteau Credit: Beneteau

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

Their prevalence at regattas shows how much the design has caught the imagination as a performance boat at a good price.

Nowadays there’s another reason for its success-with so many boats on the water, owners get frequent opportunities to race head to head. To assess her appeal, we went for a spin on Southampton Water.

One reason for the Beneteau First 40.7’s success is its versatility as a cruiser-racer.

In around 16 knots of wind, gusting to 23 knots, the Beneteau First 40.7 was well powered up under full main and No 3 head sail.

We could have used some more weight on the rail than our crew of five, but in moderate spells, the boat balanced well, notching up around 6.5 knots close-hauled, tacking through 80° and adding half a knot on bearing away.

The boat was well powered up under full main and No 3 head sail.

Cockpit lockers can be removed for racing, providing either a huge area for crew to work forward of the traveller, or ample space for fenders and lines.

Beneteau has also eschewed an open racing transom in favour of quarter lockers bridged by a curved seat – making ideal liferaft stowage in between.

The traveller is just forward of the helm and an above-deck mainsheet system leads to the aft winches.

Harken’s Quattro winches allow fast spinnaker control.

Sitting out is easy on the Beneteau First 40.7, whether on the high or low side, and the chunky steering pyramid provides an excellent bracing position.

The helm itself is positive and there’s plenty of grunt in the big wheel to handle the yacht as she powers up even though we were slightly overpowered in the gusts, the rudder never lost grip.

Kevlar steering cables avoid stretch and keep the helm free of slack.

Lines are well laid out, with a long traveller forward of the wheel and plenty of winches.

The Beneteau First 40.7 isn’t quite as stiff as the X-Yachts X-41, but aluminium spars and Dyform rigging still give a balanced response to varying wind conditions.

The six-winch cockpit layout works well for crewed and short-handed sailing.

Lines are led aft to the coach roof and there is plenty of space for the mainsail trimmer forward of the helm – the only tricky control for the crew to access is the hydraulic backstay.

the Beneteau’s spacious cockpit layout.

Under power the boat showed excellent and positive handling characteristics, tracking well astern, turning in 1.25 boat lengths and cruising at about seven knots, with an extra knot in reserve when necessary.

Modern touches aboard the Beneteau First 40.7

Like X-Yachts, Beneteau go for two straight saloon settees, a triangular berth forward and identical twin aft cabins.

But there’s more timber on the Beneteau First 40.7 than the X-Yachts X-41 and curved edges on the saloon table, nav station and galley create a softer look, offset by modern touches such as the matt aluminium grabrails, which also house roller shades – a clever bit of design that avoids curtains on race day.

The Beneteau’s wider beam allows slightly more space below. Note the grabrails housing the blinds.

The forward cabin offers the usual below-berth stowage, although the small deck hatch means spinnaker drops into the cabin are tricky.

The heads to starboard has adequate headroom to shower in comfort.

Stowage onboard the Beneteau First 40.7 is adequate rather than generous. A hanging locker in each cabin and good high­level lockers in the saloon above the settees – and although space below the settees is dedicated to tankage, there are handy spaces behind the seat backs.

Essential wine stowage is in the centre of the table and the galley has plenty of space above the stove, below the sink and in an adjacent cutlery drawer.

The nav station is well set up for racing, with a big, forward-facing chart table and enough space for most gadget addicts.

The pedestal provides a drawer and a locker for stowage plus a handy set of cubby holes behind the navigator’s seat.

The large double berths aft are simple, with stowage beneath the berths and in hanging lockers.

Engine access is through hatches either side of the engine and via the companionway.

The Beneteau First 40.7 has proved a winning formula on the racecourse. And there is little else on the market that offers similar performance and precision at this price. For this reason, the yacht has become a favourite with charter agents. The owner of our test boat, Robert Blackwell, bought her to start a skippered charter business.

First published in the June 2007 issue of YW.

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

First 40.7 Deep draft

Sailboat specifications.

• Last update: 15th March 2020

First 40.7's main features

First 40.7's main dimensions, first 40.7's rig and sails, first 40.7's performances, first 40.7's auxiliary engine, first 40.7's accommodations and layout, first 40.7's saloon, first 40.7's fore cabin, first 40.7's aft cabin.

Similar sailboats that may interest you:

Technical specifications - First 40.7

Technical features.

• Length HT : 40ft (12.17m)
• Max. width : 12ft (3.78m)
• Weight : 6.97 tons
• Draft : 6ft (1.90m) to 8ft (2.40m)
• Max. sleeping capacity : 6
• Number of cabins : 3
• Bathrooms : 1
• Water capacity : 272L

Standard motorisation

• Engine Power : 40hp
• Fuel capacity : 138L

Standard canopy

• Total sail area : 322sqft (98m2)
• Mainsail area : 148sqft (45.02m2)
• Genoa/jib area : 164sqft (49.85m2)

Ideal destinations for renting a First 40.7

• Oceanis 30.1
• Oceanis 34.1
• Oceanis 37.1
• Oceanis 40.1
• Oceanis 46.1
• Oceanis 51.1
• Oceanis Yacht 54
• Oceanis Yacht 60
• FIGARO BENETEAU 3
• Heritage Sailing Yacht
• Flyer 7 SUNdeck
• Flyer 7 SPACEdeck
• Flyer 8 SUNdeck
• Flyer 8 SPACEdeck
• Flyer 9 SUNdeck
• Flyer 9 SPACEdeck
• Antares 7 Fishing
• Antares 8 Fishing
• ANTARES 11 FLY
• Gran Turismo 32
• Gran Turismo 36
• Gran Turismo 41
• Gran Turismo 45
• Swift Trawler 35
• Swift trawler 41 Sedan
• Swift trawler 41 Fly
• Swift Trawler 48
• Grand Trawler 62
• Heritage Powerboats
• Future Owners
• A REMARKABLE ANNIVERSARY
• Our History
• Our Architects and Designers
• Our philosophy
• Our Innovations
• Your way to ownership
• Event calendar
• Annapolis Sailboat Show
• Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
• Tests and Awards

40 years of iconic  brand heritage. The signature features of the FIRST range have not changed since its conception in 1977 – these boats have always been designed for  sailors  who enjoy club racing as much as cruising, joining them into one cohesive product line, the proverbial  best  of both worlds. Today, BENETEAU takes another step in this direction with the launch of the new FIRST range.  These boats offer simplicity, performances, and comfortable interiors and cockpits geared towards daysailing and coastal cruising. Renewing the competition spirit of the brand, they represent a true adaptation to the  needs and expectations  of the widest variety of sailors.

Iconic Line

• Performance

Easy to Handle

A gold standard.

• Sailing Programmes

With beautifully slender hulls and a style second to none, First yachts have always caught the eye of seasoned sailors. From the outset, they were designed to thrill keen regatta racers and demanding performance sailors and they epitomize the joy of sailing like no other boat. Boasting the most advanced engineering, their performance under sail is a gauge for winning races whatever the sailing grounds. But they are also ideal for cruising with family or friends and will make the thrill of travelling the seas a new passion. This mixed use and the sailing community’s satisfaction has led to the success of the line.

Roll on Performance

As soon as you cast off, you feel the thrill of sailing a First. All it takes is to hoist the sails and these fast cruisers give their best performance. Thanks to a taut hull that is specially designed to be light weight, the boat flies along in the slightest breeze. Look out for the puff that propels the First forward and enjoy its surfing potential at any speed. 

The First sailing yachts are designed to make sailing easy and exciting, so that everyone can enjoy the sailing experience. They are reassuringly stable, even in a good breeze, and they are always safe and a pleasure to sail, no matter how big or small your crew is. Sail hoisting manoeuvres are fluid. Sailing is safe and effortless. 

A remarkable team

Similar to the IMOCA or Class40, the new First 36 and First 44 have their own legacy, built on considerable technical expertise. The FIRST yachts are designed and developed by a design team of architects, designers, engineers, our partner sailmakers, and mast and deck fitting manufacturers to optimise every detail and ensure that they all have the latest technology and expertise.

The first model in the line – the First 30 – was the boat used for three years by the Tour de France à la Voile, and many racers also chose it for the Course de l’Aurore (former Solitaire du Figaro) including Michel Malinosky, Eugène Riguidel and Bruno Peyron.

Outstanding Performance and Open to a Variety of Sailing Programmes

First sailing yachts are highly versatile and can be used for all sorts of programmes. They are ideal for a trip to sea to fine tune your boat and get out your code zero or asymmetric spinnaker with a crew that loves sailing whatever the weather. They are perfect for a weekend, making the most of the First’s speed and setting sail for a distant anchorage. They are great for a holiday, to enjoy the pleasure of coastal or ocean cruising in a well-equipped boat.  

All First news

SV Lenny takes a spot on the 2023 Transpac podium!

After 11 days at sea, the SV Lenny and her crew placed second in their class. The crew gave their feedback on the boat pre and post race.

2023 Transpac - Meet the Crew of SV Lenny

In June 2023, a few days before SV Lenny started the 2023 Transpac, we spoke to the crew about the race, the boat and their connection to the legendary BENETEAU First boats. 

New First 44 “Lenny” will race in the 2023 Transpac

Two legendary races, one Ocean, a new boat from a long successful line of great boats, and a remarkable crew who have sailed on major boat races around the world … BENETEAU’s First 44 is starting a Pacific adventure like no other before.

Models of the range

Length Overall

4.3 m / 14’1’’

Beam overall

1.7 m / 5’7’’

7.29 m / 23’ 11’’

2.5 m / 8’ 2’’

7.99 m / 26’ 3’’

2.54 m / 8’ 4’’

10.97 m / 36'0"

3.8 m / 12'6''

14.65 m / 48’1’’

4.25 m / 13'11''

17.12 m / 56’2’’

5 m / 16’5’’

Former First

We would redesign the sail plan, keel, interior layout, and shape of the coachroof with André Mauric, and it would be called the First. Nobody was expecting this. We showed the First at the Paris Boat Show and it was a revelation. It would become a legendary class. This was the boat that would really open the way for export.

Annette Roux - 130 years of commitment to the sea  (1980)

Select your area and your language

• Chinese, Simplified

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

• Sailboat Guide

Beneteau First 40.7

Beneteau First 40.7 is a 39 ′ 2 ″ / 12 m monohull sailboat designed by Bruce Farr and built by Beneteau starting in 1997.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Farr design #354. Shallow draft version with Iron Keel - draft: 6.17’/1.88m. Not the same as an earlier (1994) Beneteau model called the IMS 40.7.

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

• About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.