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First 38 Beneteau
Designer: Jean Berret  ·  Builder: Beneteau (Fra)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the First 38 Beneteau

Launched in 1982, this Jean Berret-designed sailboat represents Beneteau's successful entry into the performance cruising market during the early 1980s. The First 38 combines French design sensibilities with practical cruising capabilities, featuring a modern fin keel and spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling and solid upwind performance. With a displacement of 17,636 pounds and generous beam of 12.80 feet, this boat offers excellent stability and interior volume while maintaining spirited sailing characteristics. The masthead sloop rig carries 845 square feet of sail area, providing a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 20.03 that places it firmly in performance cruising territory. The comfort ratio of 25.56 indicates a boat that balances motion at sea with speed potential, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and occasional offshore passages. The hull design achieves a theoretical hull speed of 7.80 knots, while the capsize screening formula of 1.97 suggests good stability margins for extended cruising. Beneteau's fiberglass construction ensures durability, and the 45-horsepower engine provides adequate auxiliary power. This model appeals to sailors seeking a versatile platform that can handle weekend coastal sailing as well as longer cruising adventures with equal competence.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.20 ft / 12.25 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 33.85 ft / 10.32 m
Beam 12.80 ft / 3.90 m
Max Draft 6.90 ft / 2.10 m
Displacement 17,636.00 lb / 8,000 kg
Ballast 6,614.00 lb / 3,000 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 845.00 ft² / 78.50 m²
Headroom 6.33 ft / 1.93 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Jean Berret
Builder Beneteau (FRA)
First Built 1982
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
High Hull/Deck
The deck-to-hull joint on early Beneteau First series boats uses an outward-turning flange bonded and through-bolted with aluminum toe rail. The aluminum rail corrodes and the sealant fails, allowing persistent water ingress into the joint and adjacent balsa-cored deck areas.
1982–1988 models
High Hull/Deck
Beneteau used balsa core extensively in the deck of this era, including around chainplates and hardware penetrations. Inadequate original sealing leads to water intrusion and core rot, particularly under stanchion bases, cleats, and winch pads. Tapping the deck for soft spots is essential.
1982–1988 models
High Keel
The fin keel on early First 38 models was attached with mild steel keel bolts prone to corrosion. Rust weeping at the keel-to-hull joint is common and may indicate compromised bolts. Full inspection with bolt removal or ultrasound is recommended.
1982–1986 models
High Hull/Deck
Chainplate backing plates on this model are often undersized aluminum or stainless that corrodes or fatigues, and the surrounding deck area is frequently wet-cored due to sealant failure at the chainplate covers. Delamination around chainplates is a known recurring issue.
High Rigging
The mast step on deck-stepped versions bears on a balsa-cored deck area; the core beneath the mast base frequently compresses or rots under the column load, leading to deck deformation. Inspect for soft or sunken deck around the mast base.
Low Accommodations
Interior joinery on early First 38 boats used lightweight teak veneer over thin ply that delaminates readily once moisture enters, which is common given the deck leaks typical of this era Beneteau construction. Inspect bulkheads and overhead liners for delamination and soft spots.
1982–1987 models
Medium Electrical
Original wiring looms on this era Beneteau used non-tinned copper with under-sized conductors and connectors that corrode and fail. Many boats have had partial rewires; check for mixed original and aftermarket wiring, poor splices, and absence of proper fusing.
1982–1987 models

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 20.03
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 37.5
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 202.99
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 25.56
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.97
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.80 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.45
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,548.16 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 15.18
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.25 ft / 14.71 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.42 ft / 4.40 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 42.33 ft / 12.90 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.83 ft / 4.22 m
SA Fore 347.88 ft² / 32.32 m²
SA Main 292.71 ft² / 27.19 m²
SA Total (100%) 640.59 ft² / 59.51 m²
Est. Forestay Length 50.36 ft / 15.35 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Model 4108
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 45
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