Should I buy a Beneteau First as my next sailing yacht?

A Beneteau First suits sailors who want a responsive yacht that points well upwind while offering comfortable accommodation below. You trade the cavernous interior of a pure cruiser for superior sailing dynamics, a deeper draught and a rig that rewards proper sail trimming.

Farr Designs of the 2000s

The early 2000s produced some of the most successful cruiser-racers ever built, specifically the Bruce Farr-designed First 31.7, 36.7 and 40.7. These boats suit family cruising provided you accept they are lighter and more powerful than a Beneteau Oceanis or Bavaria Cruiser. They feature fractional rigs, large mainsails and non-overlapping genoas. To keep the boat on its feet and comfortable for a family, you simply reef earlier. This usually happens around 15 to 18 knots of apparent wind. Because they respond so well, they sail happily in 5 knots of breeze while heavy cruisers are forced to start their engines.

Keel Matrix Inspection

Because these boats point high and sail fast, many were campaigned hard on the racing circuit and inevitably ran aground. Beneteau uses a GRP structural grid (the matrix) bonded into the hull to distribute loads from the keel and rig. A hard grounding cracks the adhesive bond between this grid and the hull. When inspecting the hull-to-keel joint from the outside, never stand directly beneath the keel block in case the yard shores slip.

Inside the cabin, lift the saloon floorboards and inspect the matrix. You are looking for:

• Crazing or stress cracks in the gelcoat across the transverse beams.
• Rust weeping from the heavy steel keel washers.
• A hollow sound when tapping the grid with a plastic hammer to indicate delamination.
• Signs of recent, thick flowcoat paint used to hide previous structural repairs.

Re-bonding a detached keel matrix on a First 40.7 is a major yard job that typically costs between £8,000 and £15,000.

Rigging and Deck Hardware

Firsts from this era often feature taller, keel-stepped masts. Check the base of the mast in the bilge. If it has sat in saltwater for a decade, the aluminium will show heavy galvanic corrosion. Larger models like the First 40.7 and 44.7 were frequently specified with rod rigging rather than 1x19 stainless wire. Rod rigging is strong and reduces stretch, but marine insurers strictly enforce a 9 to 10-year replacement cycle. Replacing a rod rig on a 40-footer costs £6,000 to £8,000. If the boat has wire rigging, expect a replacement cost closer to £3,500.