Beneteau · Sailing yacht

Beneteau First 40.7

The First 40.7 is a 12.17 m racer-cruiser by Farr Yacht Design that Beneteau built at Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez from 1997 to about 2008; by Beneteau’s count nearly 700 were sold, and it has raced as a one-design from Lake Michigan to the China Cup, for which Beneteau built 30 boats in 2007 and 2008. Every boat has an owner’s cabin forward, two aft cabins, one head and a saildrive, but the rig differs: the cruising version has a two-spreader 9/10 mast with wire rigging and a genoa furler, the racing version a triple-spreader mast with rod rigging, a Tuff Luff foil, a hydraulic backstay and a folding propeller. In Europe the 1.90 m cast-iron keel was standard and the 2.40 m lead keel an option, while Beneteau USA listed the deep keel as standard. The engine changed over the years: Beneteau USA names a 30 hp Volvo 2030 (2003–2005) and then a 40 hp Volvo 2040, the 2003 Distinction edition a 40 hp Volvo, and the European documents of 2005–2008 a 40 hp Yanmar, so read the engine plate before you order parts. Its successor is the First 40, also by Farr.

Manuals & documents

The links go to Beneteau’s own documents — some as archived copies of pages the maker has since taken down. We host no manuals or drawings.

Equipment & its manuals

Standard equipment as the builder’s documents list it. Boats were ordered with options and refitted since — check what is actually aboard.

ItemModelManual / pageNote
EngineVolvo Penta MD20301,2,3North American boats: ‘Volvo 2030, 30 hp, with saildrive’ in Beneteau USA’s equipment lists of 2003 and September 2005Volvo Penta MD2030 Parts & service pageHour meter and fuel gauge, engine compartment insulated to USCG standards, 34 US gal fuel tank. Beneteau USA does not name the saildrive leg; read its plate as well as the engine plate.
EngineVolvo Penta MD20404North American boats: ‘Volvo 2040, 40 hp, with saildrive’ on Beneteau USA’s spec sheet printed in August 2007Volvo Penta MD2030 Parts & service pageThe MD2040 is the four-cylinder member of the MD2010–MD2040 family and is covered on the same page as the MD2030.
EngineVolvo 40 hp5European limited series ‘Distinction’ of September 2003: Volvo 40 hp with saildrive; type not named—Not from the builder: in Volvo Penta’s range of 2003, 40 hp points to the MD2040; check the plate before you order parts.
EngineYanmar 40 hp6,7,8,9European boats: Yanmar 40 hp with saildrive in the equipment list of 28 March 2008 (29.4 kW in the German edition); the December 2005 brochure gives 41 hp / 30 kW without naming the make—Beneteau names no engine type. The 2008 lists add a seawater filter, a fuel filter and a water separator (German edition), a 138 l rotomoulded tank with sediment filter and shut-off, the engine panel in the cockpit to port and a flush aluminium control lever. The owner’s manual allows at most 30 kW.
Saildrive—1,5,4,6Every Beneteau document read lists a saildrive, from the US list of 2003 to the European list of 2008; none names the leg (Volvo on the US boats and the Distinction, Yanmar on the European boats of 2005–2008)—Diaphragm, oil and anodes depend on the leg: read the plate on the saildrive before ordering.
Propeller2-blade folding · 2-blade fixed6,1,3,4Europe: two-blade folding propeller in the 2008 list · North America: two-blade fixed propeller in the lists of 2003 to 2007, folding propeller with the racing version (2003 list); makes not named—
WinchesLewmar 44 CST × 2 · 50 CST × 21North American list of 2003: two 44 CST on the coachroof and two 50 CST for the genoa sheets, two 44 CST spinnaker winches as an option; in the racing version all winches are aluminium Lewmar self-tailersLewmar Ocean & EVO winches Parts & service pageSpinlock XT clutches, Lewmar Racing mainsheet traveller and genoa tracks.
WinchesLewmar aluminium ST × 65European limited series ‘Distinction’, September 2003: six self-tailing Lewmar aluminium winches; sizes not givenLewmar Ocean & EVO winches Parts & service page
WinchesHarken 44.2 STA × 4 · 48.2 STA × 23,4,6Beneteau USA from the September 2005 sheet: two 44.2 STA on the coachroof and two 48.2 STA for the genoa sheets · European list of March 2008: the same plus two 44.2 STA spinnaker winches; 53.2 STA genoa winches as an optionHarken Radial & Classic winches Parts & service pageAluminium two-speed self-tailers of Harken’s Classic range; Harken’s chart links the manual for each size and production period.
Windlass1000 W6,8,5,1Europe: electric windlass with controller as an option in the 2008 list, make not named; the December 2005 brochure calls the electric windlass standard; the Distinction (2003) has one · North America: anchor locker with windlass support only—Self-draining anchor locker with hatch, stainless stemhead and removable bow roller.
Furler— · Tuff Luff1,8,6,4Cruising version: genoa furler, standard in the US lists and in the 2005 brochure, part of the Yacht Club pack (with removable drum) in the 2008 European list; make not named · Racing version: Tuff Luff grooved forestay instead—
Mast & riggingSparcraft 9/10, keel-stepped6,1,4,5,9Cruising version: anodised aluminium mast with two sets of 20° aft-swept spreaders and Dyform wire rigging · Racing version: triple-spreader mast with rod rigging and a Navtec hydraulic backstay (standard on Beneteau USA’s August 2007 sheet; an option in the 2008 European list, with a furler or a Tuff Luff)—Sparcraft rigid vang and aluminium boom with two reefs; the 2008 European list has a hydraulic backstay on the standard rig too, and the 2003 Distinction page calls its two-spreader mast 8/10. Wire diameters in the owner’s manual (cruising rig): cap shrouds V1 12 mm, D1 and V2 10 mm, D2 7 mm, forestay 10 mm, backstay 8 mm.
Sails—1,3,6Cruising mainsail with two reefs and roller-furling genoa; the racing version came without sails; sailmaker not named—
SteeringØ 1600 mm, cable6,3,4,9All boats: leather-covered double-spoked wheel on a pedestal with steering compass, cable transmission, emergency tiller; underhung rudder on a GRP composite stock (2008 list), carbon rudder and stock on Beneteau USA’s sheets of 2005 and 2007—The owner’s manual asks you to retension the Vectran steering cables after the first sails (sag at most 10 mm), check them every year and replace them every four years.
AutopilotRaymarine ST60015European limited series ‘Distinction’, September 2003Raymarine ST6001 SmartPilot controller: operating instructionsBeneteau does not name the drive unit.
AutopilotRaymarine ST6002 · LSR V2 hydraulic ram6Raymarine electronics pack (option) in the European list of March 2008: control head at the starboard helm, with course computer, compass, rudder angle sensor and hydraulic ramRaymarine ST6002 controller: operation guideA Smart Controller wireless remote was available outside the pack.
InstrumentsRaymarine ST60 · ST60+5,6Distinction (2003): ST60 wind and three Raymarine displays with remote control · Raymarine pack of the 2008 list: ST60+ Tridata and ST60+ Wind at the port helm, an ST60 multi-repeater control at the starboard helm and three ST60+ Graphic repeaters at the mast footRaymarine ST60 / ST60+ Parts & service page
ChartplotterRaymarine Raychart 5305Distinction (2003): GPS and chart plotter—
ChartplotterRaymarine C806Raymarine pack of the 2008 list: 8.4″ colour multifunction display with GPS and Navionics Gold chart reader at the chart table (charts not included)Raymarine C-Series display reference manual (C70, C80, C120)
VHFRaymarine Ray55E6Option outside the electronics pack in the 2008 list, like the PC interface and a gyro compass sensor—
Toilet—6,1,9Marine toilet in the forward head, make not named; US boats: USCG-approved marine toilet with holding tank—Europe: rigid holding tank of 23 l or 88 l with deck and sea pump-out, or a 110 l black-water tank, as options (2008 list). Close the toilet seacocks after each use (owner’s manual).
Water pump12 V pressure pump6,3,9All boats: pressurised hot and cold water, with a filter before the pump; fresh-water foot pump as an option (2008 list); US: expansion tank—Never run the pump with an empty tank, and clean the filter regularly (owner’s manual). The shower drains through an electric pump.
Water heater22 l6,9,1Water heater on 220 V shore power (2008 list, owner’s manual); US boats: 6 US gal, heated by the engine and by shore power—
Bilge pump17 l/min + manual6,1,9One electric and one manual bilge pump on all boats; the owner’s manual gives 17 l/min for the electric pump and 0.75 l per stroke for the manual one—Clean the strum box in the sump and the filter of the electric pump regularly.
Fridge90 l, 12 V6,9,112 V refrigeration unit in the galley (2008 list); the owner’s manual shows a 100 l icebox; make not named—
StoveGas, 2 burners + oven6,1Gimballed two-burner hob with oven on all boats (US: LPG); a stainless-steel version was an option in the 2008 list; make not named—
Gas system—6,9Gas bottle locker in the cockpit, aft to port, with tap and regulator (2008 list, owner’s manual)—The owner’s manual asks for a yearly check of the regulator and for hoses to be replaced as your country’s rules require.
Batteries70 Ah + 110 Ah6,1,9One 70 Ah engine battery and one 110 Ah service battery, 12 V, voltmeter and a 16-circuit panel (2008 list and US lists); the owner’s manual of 2001 gives 70 Ah + 90 Ah · a third service battery with distributor in the Yacht Club pack or as an option (2008)—
Charger20 A6,1,4Europe: 220 V shore supply with two sockets and a 20 A charger in the Yacht Club pack (2008 list) · North America: 110 V shore power and 20 A charger as standard—A European boat without the pack may have no shore power at all.
HeaterEberspächer6Option in the 2008 list; model not named—
Hatches & portsLewmar 440 × 440 · 324 × 324 mm6,12008 list: opening deck hatches of 440 × 440 mm with blinds over the forward cabin and the saloon, two of 324 × 324 mm over the head, opening ports of 174 × 304 mm at the chart table and in the galley, Lewmar ports from the aft cabins into the cockpit; two extra ports in the aft cabins with the Yacht Club pack—

Specifications

Years built1997 to about 2008: Beneteau dates its first wins (Commodores’ Cup, Copa del Rey) to 1997, the CE design approval followed in 1998, and the last equipment list is dated 28 March 200810,11,6
Hulls builtMore than 650 by December 2005 (brochure); nearly 700 sold in all (Beneteau, 2022); over 200 orders for the 2000 model year by early 1999 (Beneteau USA)8,10,12
VersionsCruising version (two-spreader mast, wire rigging, genoa furler, cruising sails) and racing version (triple-spreader mast, rod rigging, Tuff Luff, hydraulic backstay, spinnaker gear, folding propeller, no sails); in Europe 2008 a Yacht Club pack (furler, spinnaker gear, 220 V with charger, third battery, cockpit shower, audio) and a Raymarine electronics pack; limited series ‘Distinction’ (Europe, September 2003); a fleet of 30 boats for the China Cup (2007 and 2008)1,4,6,9,5,10
DesignerFarr Yacht Design (Bruce Farr & Associates on Beneteau USA’s 1999 page); Beneteau finalised the structure and finish; interior by François Chalain and Beneteau’s design team6,13,11,12
BuilderChantiers Bénéteau, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez (Vendée, France)6,8,11
Length overall12.17 m (39’11″) in the 2005 brochure, the 2008 list and on Beneteau’s heritage page; 11.99 m on Beneteau’s 2002 page; Beneteau USA: 39’3″ (11.96 m)8,6,14,15,3
Hull length11.92 m (39’1″) to ISO 8666 (brochure, 2008 list, owner’s manual); 11.93 m on the 2002 page8,6,9,15,3
Waterline length10.62 m (34’10″)6,13,3
Beam3.78 m (12’5″) in the brochure, the 2008 list and the owner’s manual; 3.75 m on the 2002 page; Beneteau USA: 12’3″ to 12’5″8,6,9,15,16,3
DraftEurope: 1.90 m (6’3″) with the standard cast-iron keel, 2.40 m (7’10″) with the optional lead keel (2008 list); North America: 7’9″ (2.36 m) standard, 6’2″ (1.88 m) optional6,8,1,3,4
KeelCast-iron keel (shallow) or lead fin (deep, the more common one), both with an epoxy anti-corrosion coating and bolted with stainless studs and backing plates; the lead keel has nine 24 mm bolts cast in plus one 14 mm bolt at its aft end6,11
Ballast2764 kg with the 1.90 m cast-iron keel, 2707 kg with the 2.40 m lead keel (brochure, 2008 list); Beneteau USA: 5953 lb (2700 kg) in 1999, 5512 lb (2500 kg) for either keel on the sheets of 2005 and 20078,6,13,3,4
Displacement6970 kg light displacement (CE) in the brochure and the 2008 list; 6974 kg in the owner’s manual, about 6900 kg on the 2002 page; Beneteau USA: 15211 lb (1999, 2003) and 15366 lb (2005, 2007)8,6,9,15,13,16,3,4
Max boat displacement8914 kg fully laden, a maximum load of 1940 kg (owner’s manual)9
Sail area98 m² (mainsail and maximum genoa) in every Beneteau document from 2001 to 2008; Beneteau USA: 892 sq ft (82.9 m²) in 1999, 685 sq ft (63.6 m²) standard sail area on the sheets of 2005 and 20079,15,8,6,13,3,4
Mainsail45.02 m² in the 2008 list; 47 m² in the brochure and the owner’s manual6,8,9
Genoa49.85 m² in the 2008 list, which gives an LP of 6.17 m for 140 % overlap; 51 m² maximum genoa in the brochure and the owner’s manual (LP 6.39 m)6,8,9
Light-air sailsSpinnaker 104.71 m² in the 2008 list, 110 m² in the brochure and the owner’s manual (SL 15.52 m, SMW 7.94 m)6,8,9
Rig dimensions (I, J, P, E)I 15.61 m, J 4.41 m, P 14.89 m, E 5.40 m (2008 list); the brochure gives I 15.66 m and P 14.89 to 15.29 m, the owner’s manual I 15.73 m; Beneteau USA (classic mast): I 51’3″, J 14’6″, P 50’2″, E 17’9″6,8,9,3,4
Air draft17.90 m (58’9″) in the 2008 list; Beneteau USA: mast height above the water 60’1″ (18.31 m)6,16,2
EngineEurope: 40 hp Yanmar (2008 list, 29.4 kW in the German edition), 41 hp / 30 kW in the 2005 brochure, 40 hp Volvo on the 2003 Distinction; North America: 30 hp Volvo 2030 (lists of 2003 to 2005), 40 hp Volvo 2040 (sheet of August 2007); the owner’s manual allows at most 30 kW6,7,8,5,1,3,4,9
Fuel tank138 l (36 US gal), rotomoulded (brochure, 2008 list); 130 l on the 2002 page, 135 l in the owner’s manual; Beneteau USA: 34 US gal in the lists, 36 US gal on the sheets8,6,15,9,1,3
Water tank272 l in two rigid 136 l tanks under the saloon settees (brochure, 2008 list); 2 × 150 l in the owner’s manual, 320 l on the 2002 page; Beneteau USA: 84 US gal in the lists, 72 US gal on the sheets8,6,9,15,1,3
Cabins3: owner’s double cabin forward next to the head with shower, two aft double cabins; 1 head8,6
Berths6/8 (2008 list); the owner’s manual counts 8 berths. Doubles: 2.00 × 1.60 m forward (at the shoulders), 2.00 × 1.50 m aft; Beneteau USA: 7’3″ × 5’9″ forward, 6’7″ × 5’4″ aft6,9,1
Headroom1.95 m in the saloon, 1.90 m in the forward cabin, 1.80 m in the head (2008 list); Beneteau USA: 6’5″ in the saloon and galley, 6’3″ aft, 6’2″ forward and in the head6,1
HullSolid GRP hull with a bonded and laminated structural inner moulding of unidirectional fabric (the matrix), grey gelcoat; balsa-sandwich deck; solid-wood toe rail bonded and screwed over the hull-deck joint; composite rudder with vinylester injection (brochure), carbon rudder and stock on Beneteau USA’s sheets6,8,3,4
CE categoryA12 / B12 / C12 (brochure, 2008 list); the owner’s manual allows 12 people in category A for racing but advises 8 when cruising, as there are 8 berths8,6,9
AwardsCruising World Boat of the Year 1999, best racer/cruiser (Beneteau USA)12,17
SuccessorFirst 40, also by Farr Yacht Design (design no. 608 of 2007), which Farr presents as its heir18

Good to know

  • Have the keel area surveyed after every grounding. The UK accident investigators (MAIB) found that on First 40.7s the bonded inner matrix can come away from the hull, forward from slamming and around and aft of the keel after groundings, and that this is hard to see near the keel bolts; repairers agreed on tapping the matrix with a hammer and listening for a change of tone. Beneteau’s repair advice to its dealers keeps a flange of at least 5 cm, replaces the bonding paste and removes the keel where needed. In its report on Cheeki Rafiki, which lost its keel in 2014, the MAIB found that earlier groundings and repairs had possibly weakened the keel attachment.19,11
  • Find out which engine the boat has before ordering parts: Beneteau USA listed a 30 hp Volvo 2030 up to 2005 and a 40 hp Volvo 2040 in 2007, the European Distinction of 2003 had a 40 hp Volvo, and the European documents of 2005 to 2008 name a 40 hp Yanmar without its type. Every version drives a saildrive whose leg Beneteau never names, so read the plates on the engine and on the leg.1,3,4,5,6
  • Cruising or racing boat? The racing version has a triple-spreader mast with rod rigging, a Tuff Luff foil instead of the furler, a hydraulic backstay, spinnaker gear, a folding propeller and came without sails; in Europe the furler, shore power with the 20 A charger and the third battery belonged to the Yacht Club pack in 2008, so a boat without it may lack them. Count the spreaders and check the rigging before you order standing rigging or sails.1,4,6,9
  • Mast tuning notes published by Beneteau USA (Jack Kitrenos, with advice from the spar shop at the yard): tighten and lock the mast pumping struts below deck, as loose struts can lead to mast failure; slacken all diagonals completely before tensioning the cap shrouds; the forestay is 16311 mm pin to pin and belongs in the third hole of the link plate, the mast step in its middle hole.20
  • Beneteau does not put the First 40.7’s owner’s manual online: ask a Beneteau dealer, or request the PDF from Beneteau by e-mail as its help centre explains. Spare parts are sold only through Beneteau dealers; have the HIN/CIN ready, usually on the starboard side of the transom. The brochure and the 2008 equipment list (English, French, German, Spanish) remain downloadable.21,22,23,14,6

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Sources

  1. web.archive.org/web/20030802071625/http://www.beneteauusa.com/equipment_lists/407.php
  2. web.archive.org/web/20060226104727/http://www.beneteauusa.com/sail/current/first/407_equi…
  3. web.archive.org/web/20060321030137/http://www.beneteauusa.com/sail/current/first/407.pdf
  4. web.archive.org/web/20080704082218/http://beneteauusa.com/wps/wcm/resources/file/eb77ae4f…
  5. web.archive.org/web/20030825024223/http://www.beneteau.com/2002/Fichvoile/F407distintion_…
  6. pro.beneteau.fr/documents/bateau/1270/I_F40.7_GB.pdf
  7. pro.beneteau.fr/documents/bateau/1270/I_F40.7_ALL.pdf
  8. pro.beneteau.fr/documents/bateau/2758/B_first40.7_fr_ang_090206.pdf
  9. Bénéteau, First 40.7 owner’s manual, English edition updated 10/09/01
  10. beneteau.com/newsroom-actualite/1977-2022-story-firsts
  11. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/55408664e5274a157200005b/MAIBInvReport_8_2015.pdf
  12. web.archive.org/web/20030622222501/http://www.beneteauusa.com/news/407boty.php
  13. web.archive.org/web/19991127103914/http://www.beneteauusa.com/first/f407spe.htm
  14. beneteau.com/first-1992-2004/first-407
  15. web.archive.org/web/20020803075329/http://www.beneteau.com/2002/Fichvoile/F40_7A.HTM
  16. web.archive.org/web/20030408171017/http://www.beneteauusa.com/specifications/407.php
  17. web.archive.org/web/20000510151628/http://www.beneteauusa.com/sailboats/boat.cfm?model=fi…
  18. farrdesign.com/yacht/608
  19. gov.uk/maib-reports/keel-detatchment-and-capsize-of-sailing-yacht-cheeki-rafiki-with-loss…
  20. web.archive.org/web/20031124220709/http://www.beneteauusa.com/club/racing/tuningtips/firs…
  21. help.beneteau.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019584758-What-is-a-CE-manual
  22. help.beneteau.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018945918-Where-can-I-order-a-spare-part
  23. help.beneteau.com/hc/en-us/articles/360019441657-How-do-I-find-a-boat-s-CIN-HIN-number

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