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First Class 12 Beneteau
Designer: Jean-Marie Finot  ·  Builder: Beneteau (Fra)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the First Class 12 Beneteau

Built during a brief two-year production run from 1985-1986, this Jean-Marie Finot-designed sailboat represents Beneteau's foray into performance-oriented cruising during the mid-1980s. With only 70 hulls produced, the First Class 12 has become a relatively rare find on the used boat market. The boat's proportions tell the story of its intended purpose: a substantial sail area of 753 square feet combined with a modern fin keel and bulb configuration creates a responsive sailing platform that favors performance over pure comfort. The fractional sloop rig and moderate displacement of 9,480 pounds suggest this yacht was designed for spirited coastal cruising and club racing rather than heavy offshore passages. Finot's design philosophy shines through in the hull's construction, featuring fiberglass with a polyurethane core for optimal strength-to-weight ratio. The generous beam of 12.47 feet provides stability and interior volume, while the deep draft of nearly seven feet ensures solid upwind performance. With a comfort ratio of 14.34, this boat leans toward the sportier end of the spectrum, making it ideal for sailors who prioritize sailing performance and handling over luxurious accommodations.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.33 ft / 11.99 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 33.80 ft / 10.30 m
Beam 12.47 ft / 3.80 m
Max Draft 6.89 ft / 2.10 m
Displacement 9,480.00 lb / 4,300 kg
Ballast 4,674.00 lb / 2,120 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 753.00 ft² / 69.96 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG/poly. core
Designer Jean-Marie Finot
Builder Beneteau (FRA)
First Built 1985
Last Built 1986
Number Built 70
Related Sailboats ["X 119" · "J39" · "Dufour 39 Frers" · "Allegro 39" · "Pearson 39 2"]
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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
 26.99
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
 49.3
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
 109.6
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
 14.34
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
 2.36
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. 7.79 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
 5.53
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. 1,506.02 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. 26.98
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.80 ft / 13.35 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.98 ft / 4.26 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 48.62 ft / 14.82 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.37 ft / 5.60 m
SA Fore 306.16 ft² / 28.44 m²
SA Main 446.57 ft² / 41.49 m²
SA Total (100%) 752.73 ft² / 69.93 m²
Est. Forestay Length 45.98 ft / 14.01 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 18
How It Compares

vs. Allegro 39, Dufour 39 Frers, J39

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
39.3 ft
Allegro 39
39.3 ft
Dufour 39 Frers
39.3 ft
J39
39.4 ft
LWL
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
33.8 ft
Allegro 39
35.1 ft
Dufour 39 Frers
30.5 ft
J39
32.5 ft
Beam
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
12.5 ft
Allegro 39
13.1 ft
Dufour 39 Frers
12.5 ft
J39
12.4 ft
Displacement
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
9 lbs
Allegro 39
20 lbs
Dufour 39 Frers
14 lbs
J39
12 lbs
Ballast
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
4 lbs
Allegro 39
9 lbs
Dufour 39 Frers
6 lbs
J39
5 lbs
Sail Area
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
753 sq ft
Allegro 39
774 sq ft
Dufour 39 Frers
669 sq ft
J39
799 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
27.0
Allegro 39
16.5
Dufour 39 Frers
17.7
J39
23.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
49.3 %
Allegro 39
43.6 %
Dufour 39 Frers
46.6 %
J39
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
14.3
Allegro 39
28.7
Dufour 39 Frers
24.3
J39
20.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
2.36
Allegro 39
1.91
Dufour 39 Frers
2.03
J39
2.12
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
109
Allegro 39
213
Dufour 39 Frers
235
J39
—
Hull Speed
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
7.8 kts
Allegro 39
7.9 kts
Dufour 39 Frers
7.4 kts
J39
7.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
First Class 12 Beneteau ★
5.5
Allegro 39
—
Dufour 39 Frers
2.4
J39
3.9
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