BoatsBeneteau First 32

Beneteau First 32

Fractional Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1980–1984

A versatile Jean Berret design offered in multiple rig and draft configurations to balance cruising comfort with performance

Designed by Jean Berret & Berret-Racoupeau.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/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 19 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 19
CoastalBluewater

2.13 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.13
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 172
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 19.4
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.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
39.5%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
19.4
Displacement / length
172.1
Comfort ratio
18.6
Capsize screening
2.13
Hull speed
7.1 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1077
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1980–1984
Designer
Jean Berret, Berret-Racoupeau
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.

J J/999.94 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance fractional sloop by Alan Johnstone, designed for competitive offshore racing and fast shorthanded sailing
Beneteau 32310.01 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop with a 1.45m draft and bulb keel, optimised for coastal cruising comfort since 2001
Dehler Yachts 3410.10 mSame hull family0.2 m longerAn IOR 3/4 ton racer-cruiser designed by Van de Stadt, offering a balanced performance pedigree in a comfortable hull
Salona 349.99 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA J&J-designed fractional sloop balancing a performance-oriented SA/D ratio with a stable, modern fin-and-bulb hull
Mirage 3310.21 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA Robert Perry-designed masthead sloop offering a balanced, performance-oriented cruiser profile in a 33-foot hull
Moody 33310.06 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA twin-keel cruiser featuring an aft cabin with a double berth accessible directly from the saloon

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

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