Boat models · Beneteau
Beneteau First 38
Sailboat, racer-cruiser · built 1982 · designed by Jean Berret
Key figures
Comfort25.4moderate
Capsize screen1.97passes for offshore
SA/D15.1undercanvassed
D/L203moderate
Ballast ratio0.38average
Hull speed7.8kt
- Built
- 1982
- Designer
- Jean Berret
- Builder
- Beneteau (FRA)
- Rig
- Masthead Sloop
- Keel
- Fin with spade rudder (iron ballast)
- Length
- 40.2 ft
- Beam / draft
- 12.8 ft · 6.9 ft
- Displacement
- 17,636 lb
Design figures as published, not for any one hull. Full specifications on sailboatdata.com.
Reputation
Classracer-cruiseras owners use it
Forumsrespectedpicked over its peers
Fast, handsome Frers-era First; solid sailer, but check the keel, rudder and teak decks
- Club racing
- respected · still competitive under PHRF, points well
- Coastal cruising
- respected · roomy, comfortable interior for its era
- Offshore passages
- ordinary · capable, but lighter build than true bluewater boats
- Loved
- quick and well balanced upwind · attractive Frers lines · good joinery below · great value for the speed
- Gripes
- tiller loads heavy when overpowered · big masthead genoas are hard work · aging systems and electrics · shallow bilge
- Survey for
- keel bolts and keel-to-hull joint · rudder bearings and stock · teak deck and core moisture · chainplate leaks
- Cross-shopped
- Beneteau First 375 · Jeanneau Sun Fizz · C&C 38 · Dufour 39
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