First 36.7 (Beneteau) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The creation of the Beneteau First 36.7 stemmed from a desire to meet the market's demand for a boat that offered both a luxurious interior and exceptional speed. Beneteau, with its long history rooted in the maritime world since 1884, transitioned to fiberglass construction in the 1960s, a pivotal moment that allowed for more efficient production and broader appeal. The First 36.7, specifically Farr Design #446, reflects Beneteau's philosophy of collaborating with renowned naval architects to create contemporary designs that balance performance and comfort. Its solid fiberglass hull construction, a hallmark of Beneteau's robust build quality, is complemented by a balsa-cored deck, providing a strong yet relatively lightweight structure. While primarily known for its deep keel version with a draft of 7.22 feet, a shallower draft option was also available at 5.9 feet, offering versatility for different cruising grounds.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Beneteau First 36.7 is recognized as a performance-oriented cruiser-racer, striking a balance between user-friendliness and competitive speed. Its fractional sloop rig with a keel-stepped mast ensures precise sail control, allowing for effective trimming whether racing or cruising. With a calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio of approximately 19.01, the yacht is well-powered and exhibits strong performance, particularly in lighter wind conditions. The Displacement to Length ratio, around 208, places the First 36.7 in the moderately light displacement category, contributing to its agile handling and responsiveness. The ballast-to-displacement ratio of approximately 29.7% for the deep keel version, and about 18.7% for the shallow draft, indicates a design that prioritizes performance and offers good stability, enabling the boat to stand up to a decent breeze. Sailors often praise the First 36.7 for its sleek design, strong sailing performance, and the ability to perform well as a one-design racer or a fast cruiser. Even the shallow draft version is noted to have very similar sailing characteristics to its deeper-keeled counterpart.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its emphasis on performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers an interior layout well-suited for family cruising. Reviews highlight a thoughtful arrangement designed for comfort and practicality. While specific headroom figures are not consistently documented, the interior is configured to maximize living space. A common layout features a generous double quarter berth to port and a single quarter berth, providing ample sleeping accommodations. Many models are configured with three cabins and a single head, typical for a vessel of this size aimed at both racing crews and cruising families. The design successfully integrates a "luxurious interior" with its performance aspirations, reflecting Beneteau's broader design philosophy.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Beneteau First 36.7 frequently commend its solid construction and enjoyable sailing characteristics, often highlighting its versatility for both racing and cruising. The boat's performance orientation means that owners should anticipate some wear in high-load areas, which is common for such designs. A critical area for inspection, as noted by some owners, is the molded grid system below the floor. While this design feature enhances stiffness, it requires careful scrutiny during pre-purchase surveys to identify any potential underlying issues. Overall, the Beneteau First 36.7 maintains a strong reputation among its owners for delivering a satisfying and robust sailing experience.