BoatsBeneteau First 40.7

Beneteau First 40.7

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder · First built 1997

A 1997 Bruce Farr design featuring a 2.36-metre draft and a stiff, performance-oriented displacement-to-ballast ratio

Designed by Bruce Farr.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder

See her sail

The Beneteau First 40.7, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from SEILmagasinet

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 23 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 23
CoastalBluewater

1.99 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.99
LightHeavy

161 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 161
EasygoingPowered-up

21.1 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 21.1
TenderStiff

39% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 39%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Draws more than ~95% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2897 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Beneteau First 40.7, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Beneteau First 40.7 is a Bruce Farr-designed fractional sloop built by Beneteau from 1997 to the present, featuring a fin keel with a bulb and spade rudder. It measures 12.0 meters LOA, has a 3.8-meter beam, a 2.4-meter draft, and displaces 6899 kg. The design is distinct from the earlier 1994 Beneteau IMS 40.7. Beneteau's production philosophy uses solid fiberglass hulls bonded to internal structural grids, which can transmit hull flex differently than traditional construction.2:37 The loss of the Beneteau First 40.7 *Cheeky Rafiki* highlights the importance of thorough pre-purchase surveys, particularly regarding the keel stub and internal grid.2:38 When properly maintained and sailed within conservative weather windows, these boats are capable for coastal and Caribbean cruising.15:34 Prospective buyers should inspect keel bolts, check for stress cracks in the structural grid, and rebed deck hardware.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Beneteau First 40.7 on video

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
39.1%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
21.1
Displacement / length
160.7
Comfort ratio
22.9
Capsize screening
1.99
Hull speed
7.9 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1534
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Mixed Iron/Lead
Production
Years built
First built 1997
Units built
550
Designer
Bruce Farr
Builder
Beneteau

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i11.86 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Marc Lombard-designed fractional sloop balancing a 2.0-meter draft with a spacious beam for efficient coastal cruising
Greece, Dodecanese #009from Sarakawa
RM Yachts 118011.80 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA Marc Lombard-designed performance cruiser featuring a wide beam, dual rudders, and a powerful cutter rig
Why This "Wooden" Sailboat Is Faster, Warmer, and Stronger - the RM 11800:47from Practical Sailor
Farr Phase 412.00 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Bruce Farr-designed masthead sloop built for performance with a fin keel, bulb, and spade rudder
Ari Huusela // First Finn to Finish the Vendée Globe6:59from 59° North Sailing
Comfortina 3911.85 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 2007 fractional sloop with a 2.0-meter draft and a 10.88-meter waterline designed for offshore stability
Comfortina 391:29from SVN solovelanet
Cal Boats 4011.99 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA legendary offshore racer with 160 built, featuring a light displacement and a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio
Hank Easom17:41from LIFE ON THE WATER
Beneteau Oceanis 4012.15 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA spacious fractional sloop from Berret-Racoupeau featuring a versatile optional shallow draft keel
He almost went home alone… nothing went as planned… Vlog 1220:49from Vagabond Voyages

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Beneteau First IMS 40.7A high-performance Farr design #289 fractional sloop built for IMS racing with a high sail area to displacement ratioBeneteau First 40A 2007 Bruce Farr design featuring a deep 2.45m draft and a high sail area-to-displacement ratio for spirited racingBeneteau First 36.7A Farr-designed racer-cruiser with a 2.2-metre draft and a balanced sail-area-to-displacement ratio for club competitionBeneteau First 47.7A Bruce Farr-designed performance cruiser balancing a high sail area-to-displacement ratio with offshore capabilityBeneteau First 44.7A Bruce Farr-designed performance cruiser featuring a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio and multiple rig optionsBeneteau First 42s7A Bruce Farr-designed fractional sloop also marketed as the Stardust 433, featuring a performance-oriented fin and bulb

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