Design and Construction
The 36.7 follows what period reviews called the current generic racing shape: no overhangs, moderately light displacement, a broad stern, and a fine entry forward. Its highly radiused cabintrunk presents a low-windage profile.
Beneteau built the hull in solid fiberglass, while the deck is balsa-cored. The rudder, stock, and blade are composite. The brochure lists Farr under “hull design,” reinforcing the boat’s design provenance.
On light-ship displacement, the D/L is 185, while the L/B is 3.1. The hull is beamy but reasonably moderate in its loading. Buyers could choose between a deep keel, drawing 7 feet 2 inches and weighing 3,748 pounds, and a shoal keel, drawing 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 4,034 pounds.
Rig and Deck Layout
The 36.7 carries a fractional rig with two sets of swept spreaders and an SA/D of 20.6. The wide stern makes room for a large-diameter wheel. Aft, the cockpit coamings are cut away so the mainsheet traveler can extend to within about 10 inches of the rail, allowing clean trim angles.
A teak toerail runs along the deck, and the cockpit seats are veneered in teak. A useful foredeck well holds the ground tackle. Overall, the deck combines the function of a racing cockpit with the finished appearance expected of a cruising boat.
Accommodations and Machinery
Below, the layout favors family cruising rather than bare-bones racing. A large double berth aft to port and a single berth opposite to starboard each occupy a private, enclosed space.
The nav station is generous, taking up as much room as the galley. Period reviews noted that the galley itself is on the skimpy side. Water capacity is 79 gallons, while fuel capacity is 20 gallons. The standard auxiliary is a 29-horsepower Volvo diesel saildrive.
Verdict
The Beneteau First 36.7 makes a coherent case as a dual-purpose racer-cruiser. It combines a Farr-derived hull with modern racing proportions, a sailor-friendly deck, and a cabin that still works for family cruising. The quarter-berth arrangement provides real privacy, and the generous nav station helps offset the small galley. The two keel options allow buyers to trade draft against weight, while the standard Volvo saildrive keeps the machinery simple.
Beneteau offered a broad choice of deep or shoal keel to suit draft restrictions.
Pros
- Farr-designed hull with an efficient, modern racing shape and low-windage cabintrunk
- Choice of deep or shoal keel to suit different draft restrictions
- Enclosed double and single quarter berths for private sleeping
- Generous nav station
- Wide-stern cockpit with the traveler extending close to the rail
Cons
- Galley is on the skimpy side for a family cruiser
- Fuel capacity is only 20 gallons
