Beneteau First 44
LOA 14.15-14.65m 46ft 5in-48ft 1in Beam 4.24m 13ft 11in Draught 2.15m 7ft 1in Displacement 10,300kg 22,700lb Price TBA beneteau.com
Ever since the launch of the stunning First 53 three years ago we’ve been looking forward to the prospect of more designs of a similar concept to fully revive Beneteau’s once dominant First brand of production cruiser-racers. Like its larger stablemate, this new boat is a product of Roberto Biscontini, responsible for naval architecture, and Lorenzo Argento who designed the deck and interior layout. Once again the duo have not been afraid to break new ground in producing a comfortable and civilised fast design that can be built in sufficient numbers to create a desirable yacht at a price point that means we can expect to see a lot of them on the water.
I saw one of the prototype boats in Les Sables d’olonne soon after it was launched. Like the 53 the hull has a lot of flare above the waterline at the transom, but the chine is relatively soft and is not carried right forward. This approach has a couple of important benefits, especially for owners intending to spend extended periods in Mediterranean waters, where a lot of time is spent in light airs, but equally sustained winds above 30 knots can also be encountered.
Wetted surface area in light airs is less than that of many twin-rudder wide transom designs, which translates to good light airs performance and therefore less time spent under power when on passage. Yet as the wind increases and the angle of heel builds the chine right aft starts to dig in, which increases stability.
Below deck the arrangement follows a similar philosophy to that of the 53. These are not intended as charter boats with a maximum number of cabins. Instead the layout is optimised around the needs of four or six people who will often eat ashore when in port, or on deck when at anchor.
Pricing of the First 44 will be announced shortly before it’s unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival.