BoatsBeneteau First Class Europe

Beneteau First Class Europe

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder · 1989–1991

A Groupe Finot-designed fractional sloop built specifically for international one-design match and fleet racing

Designed by Groupe 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 narrow beam gives 12 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 12
CoastalBluewater

At 2.33 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.33
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 75
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 27.5
TenderStiff

31% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 31%

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

  • Lighter than ~92% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2917 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
30.6%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
27.5
Displacement / length
75.5
Comfort ratio
12.2
Capsize screening
2.33
Hull speed
7.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1356
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1989–1991
Designer
Groupe 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.

Express 3711.30 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA light-displacement masthead sloop featuring a 2.21-metre draft and an optional cruising-oriented Mk II interior
Salona 3711.29 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA triple-award-winning performance cruiser from J&J Yacht Design featuring a high ballast ratio for stiff, fast sailing
Beneteau Idylle 115011.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA shoal-draft cruiser with a 1.33-metre keel, designed by Jean Berret for comfortable coastal passage-making
Beneteau Oceanis 3811.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA versatile Finot-Conq design offered in three distinct interior layouts, from daysailer to full cruiser
Elan Yachts 38011.34 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Rob Humphreys-designed fractional sloop built for performance with a deep 2.35m draft and a stiff, light hull
Ericson Yachts 3811.48 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Bruce King-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance

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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