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First 407 Beneteau
Designer: Bruce Farr  ·  Builder: Beneteau (Fra)  ·  First built: 1997
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About the First 407 Beneteau

Designed by renowned naval architect Bruce Farr and launched in 1997, this 39-foot performance cruiser represents Beneteau's successful effort to blend racing heritage with cruising comfort. With 550 hulls produced, the First 407 became a popular choice among sailors seeking spirited performance without sacrificing livability. The boat's fin keel with bulb configuration and spade rudder deliver responsive handling and impressive pointing ability, while the fractional sloop rig provides excellent sail control across varying conditions. At 15,211 pounds with nearly 40% ballast ratio, the First 407 offers reassuring stability for coastal cruising and short offshore passages. The comfort ratio of 22.91 indicates a relatively stiff, performance-oriented ride that rewards active sailing. Farr's design philosophy shines through in the hull's clean lines and efficient underwater profile, enabling the boat to achieve its theoretical hull speed of 7.91 knots with ease. The generous sail area-to-displacement ratio of 21.08 ensures lively performance in light to moderate winds, making this an excellent choice for sailors who prioritize sailing enjoyment over pure comfort. The capsize screening value of 1.99 suggests good stability for coastal and near-offshore adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.25 ft / 11.96 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.83 ft / 10.62 m
Beam 12.33 ft / 3.76 m
Max Draft 7.75 ft / 2.36 m
Displacement 15,211.00 lb / 6,900 kg
Ballast 5,953.00 lb / 2,700 kg
Ballast Type Lead or Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 806.00 ft² / 74.88 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bruce Farr
Builder Beneteau (FRA)
First Built 1997
Number Built 550
Associations First 40.7 (Beneteau) - Chicago Fleet
Related Sailboats ["Dufour 39 Cc" · "Elan 40" · "Farr 395" · "Bavaria Holiday 38" · "J39"]
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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
 21.08
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
 39.14
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
 160.71
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
 22.91
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
 1.99
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. 7.91 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
 3.75
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. 1,534.49 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. 21.08
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 51.61 ft / 15.73 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.47 ft / 4.41 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 48.85 ft / 14.89 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 17.71 ft / 5.40 m
SA Fore 373.40 ft² / 34.69 m²
SA Main 432.57 ft² / 40.19 m²
SA Total (100%) 805.97 ft² / 74.88 m²
Est. Forestay Length 53.60 ft / 16.34 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Model 2030
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 30
Fuel Capacity 34 gals / 129 L
Water Capacity 84 gals / 318 L
How It Compares

vs. Bavaria Holiday 38, Elan 40, Farr 395

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
First 407 Beneteau ★
39.3 ft
Bavaria Holiday 38
39.3 ft
Elan 40
39.0 ft
Farr 395
39.4 ft
LWL
First 407 Beneteau ★
34.8 ft
Bavaria Holiday 38
33.8 ft
Elan 40
33.6 ft
Farr 395
34.1 ft
Beam
First 407 Beneteau ★
12.3 ft
Bavaria Holiday 38
12.5 ft
Elan 40
12.6 ft
Farr 395
12.2 ft
Displacement
First 407 Beneteau ★
15 lbs
Bavaria Holiday 38
16 lbs
Elan 40
15 lbs
Farr 395
12 lbs
Ballast
First 407 Beneteau ★
5 lbs
Bavaria Holiday 38
5 lbs
Elan 40
5 lbs
Farr 395
4 lbs
Sail Area
First 407 Beneteau ★
806 sq ft
Bavaria Holiday 38
661 sq ft
Elan 40
780 sq ft
Farr 395
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
First 407 Beneteau ★
—
Bavaria Holiday 38
—
Elan 40
66 s/nm
Farr 395
33 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
First 407 Beneteau ★
21.1
Bavaria Holiday 38
16.7
Elan 40
19.8
Farr 395
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
First 407 Beneteau ★
39.1 %
Bavaria Holiday 38
34.3 %
Elan 40
35.5 %
Farr 395
36.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
First 407 Beneteau ★
22.9
Bavaria Holiday 38
24.2
Elan 40
23.9
Farr 395
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
First 407 Beneteau ★
1.99
Bavaria Holiday 38
1.99
Elan 40
2.00
Farr 395
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
First 407 Beneteau ★
160
Bavaria Holiday 38
186
Elan 40
186
Farr 395
140
Hull Speed
First 407 Beneteau ★
7.9 kts
Bavaria Holiday 38
7.8 kts
Elan 40
7.8 kts
Farr 395
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
First 407 Beneteau ★
3.8
Bavaria Holiday 38
2.8
Elan 40
3.2
Farr 395
—
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