BoatsBeneteau First Class 12

Beneteau First Class 12

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder · 1985–1986

A high-performance fractional sloop by Jean-Marie Finot, derived from the competitive Beneteau One Ton design

Designed by Jean-Marie Finot & Jean Marie Finot (Groupe Finot).

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

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 14 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 14
CoastalBluewater

At 2.36 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.36
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 110
EasygoingPowered-up

27.0 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 27.0
TenderStiff

49% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 49%

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

  • Lighter than ~81% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~80% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2875 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
49.3%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
27.0
Displacement / length
109.6
Comfort ratio
14.3
Capsize screening
2.36
Hull speed
7.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1506
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Construction
FG/poly. core
Production
Years built
1985–1986
Units built
70
Designer
Jean-Marie Finot, Jean Marie Finot (Groupe Finot)
Builder
Beneteau

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

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.

Beneteau First 36 SE11.98 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 2025 performance cruiser featuring a lightweight 4,349kg displacement and a high 30.63 sail-area-to-displacement ratio
Beneteau First 3611.99 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA modern performance cruiser by Samuel Manuard featuring dual rudders and a high 28.68 sail-area-to-displacement ratio
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
Beneteau Oceanis 37.111.93 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA modern cruiser by Marc Lombard and Nauta Design, featuring dual rudders and an optional electric pod motor
Beneteau First 40.711.96 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1997 Bruce Farr design featuring a 2.36-metre draft and a stiff, performance-oriented displacement-to-ballast ratio
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

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.

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