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USED Classic Boat | ‘Classic’ First: 5 cruiser-racer from Beneteau still relevant today

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First.40.7

A colossus of France, looking at its ‘classics,’ Beneteau boasts a vast production, to say the least, offering particularly diverse ranges and boats aimed at the most distinct groups, be they varied in use, or in taste and owner need. In this case, however, we will focus on 5 ‘Classic Boat’ models devoted to the hybrid, racing and cruising theme. Hulls now well proven, but still relevant, both on the cruising and racing fronts. In short, here are 5 ‘young’ Classic Boats branded Beneteau First.

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‘Classic’ First: 5 cruiser-racer from Beneteau still relevant today

The panorama concerning the Classic Boats -that is, production boats over 25 years old and launched since 1967-. is a vast and ever-expanding context, composed of hulls of all shapes and sizes and, perhaps, not as easily “navigable” as one would often like. In light of this, in addition to the Classic Boat Club and to our information sections, we have created a series of articles, aimed at exploring some exceptional hulls, projects fundamental to the evolution of boating (you can find each article, 40+, at the bottom of this one). In this specific case, as announced, it is the turn to look at 5 major Beneteau designs, 5 First models that, current even today, can meet dual needs, whether racing or cruising…

First 36.7
First 36.7

FIRST 31.7

specs: Beneteau; 9.61 x 3.23 m; 1998; Jean Marie Finot & Pascal Conq

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Small and timeless, the First 31.7 is a gem of a vessel, whatever one may say. From class victories in Giraglia, to small cruises, the 31.7 is indeed a little gem, and certainly, the worthy heir to the First 310 and Figaro, whose water lines, drift bulb and large aft wetted area it mirrors. A child of the range restyling of the 1990s, this is in fact a boat capable of good pace (especially with wind)-and particularly fun; but still set up for cruising use, to which she nevertheless knows how to lend herself without sacrifice, offering, indeed, more spacious interiors than one might expect, given her size. The temperament, however, remains racer-like, and lends itself perfectly to those seeking a vessel capable of offering itself to both uses.

– Learn more about the First 31.7, its market value and Beneteau’s ‘Classic Boat’ production

Classic Boat
First 31.7

FIRST 36.7

specs: Beneteau; 10.90 x 3.45 m; 2000; Bruce Farr

On the wave of the success of the previous 31.7 (1998), in 2000 house Beneteau tried again, giving birth to the First 36.7, this time signed Farr. Still aimed at the hybridization of racing and cruising, thus emerges a hull with powerful, IMS and IRC-optimized lines, now with particularly slender bow profiles and a large set-back beam. At 10.9 meters long, it is a hull whose marriage works well in both fields it looks to, resulting in a success worth no less than 800 built. To this day, it is a boat that lends itself well to cruising, and there is no shortage of it on the race courses, as the victories of a 36.7 at the 2024 edition of the Giraglia well demonstrate.

– Learn more about the First 36.7, its market value and Beneteau’s ‘Classic Boat’ production

First 36.7

FIRST 40.7

specs: Beneteau; 11.96 x 3.76 m; 1997; Bruce Farr

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It is again the pencil of Bruce Farr to sign a First, but we are now a couple of years earlier than the 36.7. At 11.96 meters long, in fact, this is the First 40.7, an exceptional hull, not only still current, but produced in exorbitant numbers for a 12-meter: 550 launched examples prove it. In short, still current today, it is an example of how a good design struggles to lose its momentum, and quite a few still sail, and just as many race giving no small amount of satisfaction. Certainly, between the buoys, the years can make themselves felt, but this is not even so necessarily the case. Elegant, well conceived and comfortable inside, she is a hull that is, to say the least, well accomplished and, whose success, is definitely deserved.

– Learn more about the First 40.7, its market value and Beneteau’s ‘Classic Boat’ production

Classic Boat
First 40.7

FIRST 47.7

specs: Beneteau; 14.50 x 4.50 m; 2000; Bruce Farr

With the First 47.7 we return to 2000, again with a Farr design. It is in fact the ‘big and different sister’ of the 36.7, a 14.50 meters apparently ‘anonymous’, but concretely well positioned in the range. The philosophy is the same as that shared by the entire segment, the creation of hulls that are competitive and high-performance, but still suitable for the comfort demanded by cruising. In the case of the 47.7, the answer comes through a hull tapered in lines and marine in volume and balance, but available in as many as 5 possible interior layouts, all with a particularly large dinette. Particular approval, however, comes towards its Race version, with deeper, dedicated bulb and additional 22sqm of sail area. Overall, a seemingly quiet hull, which, however, did not mind the racing too much, on the contrary.

– Learn more about the First 47.7, its market value and Beneteau’s ‘Classic Boat’ production

First 47.7

FIRST 51

specs: Beneteau; 15.63 x 4.55 m; 1987; German Frers

German Frers is the excuse to go back even further in time, to 1987, to look, however, at an exceptional First. It is, clearly, the First 51, the hull with which, in the 1980s, Beneteau came closest, in design and quality, to the great boats of the Scandinavian yards. Frers’s design, here derived from a racing prototype, is impeccable, and despite its unabashed racing spirit, thanks to its maximum beam of no less than 4.55 m, the First 51 also knows how to offer an unusually huge interior for the time. An excellent ensemble to say the least, still highly appreciable today. In short, a boat signed by a German Frers in a state of grace.

– Learn more about the First 51, its market value and Beneteau’s ‘Classic Boat’ production

FIRST 51

 

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