Practical Sailorvideo
Fast Sailboats Your Spouse Will Love | Bruce Farr & Beneteau
9 May 2026 · 8 min · 19K views
What this video covers
The Beneteau First 40.7, designed by Bruce Farr, balances performance sailing characteristics with interior livability, making it a popular choice for owners who want both speed and comfort.2:35 The design features a fractional rig, a hull form with beam carried aft, and a relatively light displacement, allowing for responsive acceleration and balanced handling upwind.3:40 Below deck, the boat offers two- or three-cabin layouts with functional galleys and sufficient headroom, avoiding the stripped-out, spartan interiors typical of dedicated race boats.4:29 While the build quality reflects standard production methods of the late 1990s and 2000s rather than heavy-duty offshore construction, the boat remains a versatile option for mixed-use sailing.5:58 The Beneteau First 36.7 and First 34.7 apply this same design philosophy to smaller, more manageable platforms.6:32 These models prioritize a middle ground between high-end racing machines and slow, heavy cruising vessels.5:33 Performance-driven hulls paired with practical, civilized interiors provide a viable compromise for sailors who do not want to sacrifice sailing engagement for onboard comfort.7:38
More from Practical Sailor
From Practical Sailor — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.