The First 40.7 Beneteau is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 34.8′, the First 40.7 Beneteau tops out around 7.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √34.8′ LWL = 7.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
28.0
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
39.1%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
161
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
22.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.98
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
22.9
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.98
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the First 40.7 Beneteau sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.4 |
6.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.5 |
7.0 |
7.8 |
8.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.1 |
6.5 |
7.2 |
7.8 |
| Run150–180° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.9 kts),
SA/D (28.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the First 40.7 Beneteau — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the First 40.7 Beneteau.
|
First 40.7 Beneteau |
Beneteau 49 |
First 38 Beneteau |
First 42 Beneteau |
J-46 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
39.3 |
49.5 |
40.2 |
42.9 |
46.0 |
| LWL |
34.8 |
43.7 |
33.9 |
36.0 |
— |
| Beam |
12.3 |
14.8 |
12.8 |
13.1 |
— |
| Displacement |
15 |
27 |
17 |
18 |
— |
| Ballast |
5 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
— |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
845 |
782 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
72 |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
28.0 |
20.5 |
20.0 |
17.8 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
39.1 |
34.0 |
37.5 |
47.1 |
— |
| Comfort |
22.9 |
26.4 |
25.6 |
24.8 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.98 |
1.95 |
1.97 |
1.97 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.9 |
8.9 |
7.8 |
8.0 |
— |