Beneteau First 405 (1987) – Med-Ready Bluewater Cruiser-Racer, Never Chartered
1987 Beneteau First 405 Spirit III is a proven cruiser-racer, carefully prepared for Mediterranean and bluewater sailing. British-owned and never chartered, she offers an appealing balance of performance, strength, and long-range comfort.
Her deep fin keel and powerful triple-spreader rig deliver fast, confident sailing with easy short-handed control. A Beta 50hp diesel installed in 2013, with under 1,500 hours, drives through a Gori folding prop for efficient motoring and reduced drag. The keel was removed, epoxy treated, and re-bolted in 2002, with a structural survey completed in 2025.
The deck layout is practical and secure. Teak decks were replaced in 2012 and professionally refinished in 2025, presenting well and offering excellent grip. Standing rigging was renewed in 2011, and the sail inventory includes quality Sanders sails, a cruising chute, and twin spinnakers for versatile passagemaking.
Below, the interior is bright and welcoming, with accommodation for eight to nine in three double cabins plus the saloon. Upholstery was renewed in 2017, with new foam fitted in 2021, and there is approximately 1.9 metres of headroom. The layout supports comfortable living aboard for extended periods.
A major electrical upgrade underpins true cruising autonomy. Victron inverter and charging systems, E-xpert monitoring, and substantial solar capacity, including a 340W panel, support modern energy demands. Three 100Ah lithium house batteries are scheduled for installation in April 2026, completing a capable off-grid setup.
Comfort systems include Eberspacher heating, pressurised hot water via calorifier and immersion, a Katadyn watermaker, and an efficient seawater-cooled fridge and freezer. LED lighting, fans, and a well-considered entertainment and IT installation further enhance life aboard.
Navigation and safety equipment are comprehensive. A Raymarine navigation suite from 2013 is supported by AIS, autopilot, Iridium satellite communications, and extensive safety gear, making her well prepared for serious offshore passages. A brand-new 2.4-metre tender from 2025, with Honda 2hp outboard, is included.
Cruised from the UK through Biscay into the Mediterranean, she is currently lying in Greece and ready to continue her adventures. EU VAT is paid. Offered exclusively by Williams & Smithells International, specialists in liveaboard and bluewater cruising yachts, this Beneteau First 405 represents an excellent opportunity for sailors seeking performance with genuine passagemaking capability.
Construction
Built by Beneteau Yachts, France 1987
Designed by Jean Berret
Aft cockpit cruiser/racer
White GRP hull (balsacore) deck & structure
Teak decks (replaced 2012, refinished 2025)
Deep fin keel (cast iron)
Spade hung rudder
Wheel steering
Keel removed in 2002 to have full epoxy treatment, new keel bolts fitted (by previous owner).
Last structural survey 2025
Machinery
Beta 50 - 50hp engine (new 2013)
<1500 engine hours
Shaft drive to Gori folding prop.
Seal changed 2022
Engine currently freshwater flushed and winterised
Various spares for engine & watermaker
Tankage
130ltrs Stainless steel fuel tank
3 x Fibreglass water tanks 400ltrs (total)
Plastic holding tank with waste pump
Profile digital tank monitors for water & holding tank
Electrics
12v/240v systems & shore power
Charging by mains, engine & solar
3x EPEVER 100ah Lithium Batteries (to be fitted April 2026)
1 x Bosch 80 amp engine start battery (2018)
Sterling Pro charge ultra charger 60 amp
2000W Victron Inverter/Charger
Victron MTTP Solar Charger 150/100
Solar charger – Blue Solar MPPT 70/15
Solara Solar panels - 2 x 34W, 2 x 45W, 1 x 340W
Alternator to battery charger – digital – 80/130 amp
E-xpert Pro battery monitor
Rig & Sails
Sloop rigged
Standing rigging (2011)
Z-Spars
Baby stay & triple spreaders
Fixed bowsprit
Spinnaker/Cruising gear
Cascade Mainsheet system
Adjustable jib sheet cars controlled from cockpit
Mainsail – 3 reefs, white in Dacron by Sanders (2012)
Stack pack & Lazy jacks fitted new
Genoa – Roller reefing, white by Sanders (2011) (serviced by Waypoint 2017), New UV strip required
Furlex rolling system new 2011
Spinnaker – light weight/heavy weight (2014) (currently in the UK)
Cruising chute – Sanders (2013)
Spare Jib (#12)
2 x Lewmar Genoa winches ST54
2 x Lewmar Spinnaker/cruising winches 40’s
2 x Lewmar Halyard winches ST40’s
2 x Dynema runners
Accommodation
Accom for 8/9 throughout in 3 double cabins and saloon (possible 3 berths)
2 x Double aft cabins
1 x V berth forward cabin
1 Jabsco heads (heads seacock replaced – Blakes 2022)
Wood joinered interior
Upholstery renewed 2017
All foam cushions replaced (2021)
Approx 190cm headroom throughout
Insulating foam floor tiles for winter
Domestic
Watermaker – Katadyn Power Survivor 80E 12.9 ltrs/hr
Eberspacher hot air diesel heating
Eberspacer calorifier/hot water (hot and cold pressurised water system with immersion heater (240v) or heated via engine)
4 x Caframo-sirocco fans
Eno 0420 oven with 2 burner hob
Frigomatic fridge with small freezer/ice box unit (fridge sea water cooled)
2 S/S sinks
Freshwater foot pump (whale)
Salt water foot pump (whale)
All interior lights LED with night vision lights in all areas
Pioneer CD/Radio new 2022 with 4 x Fusion speakers
TV screen
Monitor with swivel wall mount
Deck
Horizontal electric Lewmar windlass (with foot pedals)
Rocna 20kg anchor (2020) with 75m 10m chain + rope
Sprayhood & bimini
Passerelle with additional wooden plank
Various and plenty of warps/lines & many fenders
Swim ladder
Deck shower facility though window from heads
Navigation
Predominantly Raymarine nav equipment (upgraded 2013)
Raymarine E7 plotter
Raymarine DST Smart deck speed/log
Ray 125 GPS (send & receive)
Raymarine P70 Autopilot (linear drive M81132
5 x I70 displays on deck (2 @ helm, 3 on mast – Scanstrut pods new 2013)
3 x Plastimo compass’s
Wireless network – Red box with battery
Satcoms – Iridium 9922
AIS Raymarine AIS650
Navtex – ICS Navtex 6
SPX core pack
VHF splitter
LED nav lights
Tenders
BTM MS 240 2.4m Inflatable Floor (brand new 2025)
Honda 2hp 4 stroke (with Alpha outboard lock and cover)
Safety
Ocean Safety liferaft – 4 person (last serviced April 2022)
EPIRB (out of date battery to be replaced)
1 x electric bilge pump
2 x manual bilge pump
4 x fire extinguishers
Coastal flare pack
Emergency tiller
Life buoys
Dan buoy
Radar reflector
Gas alarm
Fire blanket
The condition or level of safety equipment on board is not to be negotiated following the survey. It is likely to be listed by most surveyors but is not structural or an integral working part of the vessel and is not to be used to further negotiate the price down after survey. We strongly suggest that for your own personal safety that when purchasing a yacht you provide new safety equipment rather than relying on second hand gear.
Should you become the new owner of this yacht then the responsibility to re-register or update official bodies for items such as EPIRB, VHF, MMSI or AIS becomes yours.
Title Documents and Tax
Listed below are the documents/or copies of what we have seen on listing this yacht.
Current SSR British Registration
Brexit Letter confirming location in EU
Copy – Bill of Sale (2025) to current owner
Copy – Bill of Sale (2021) to previous owner
Copy – Bill of Sale (2010) to previous owners family
Copy – Builders Certificate (1987)
Copy – VAT invoice (UK) 1987 first supply
Evidence of TEPAI cruising tax paid
Pre-dates RCD / Declaration of Conformity
Comments
Current Owners’ Note:
We have had the pleasure of sailing Spirit III for the past year, cruising from Lefkas to Marmaris and back through the Aegean Sea. She was our first sailboat and proved to be a wonderful boat to learn on, as well as a comfortable and dependable home afloat.
Due to a change in circumstances and our relocation to Australia, we are reluctantly offering her for sale after just one year. We hope her next owners will love her as much as we have, as did all those who cared for her before us.
The following note is from the previous owners, who cared for Spirit III for many years:
We have long been particular fans of the Beneteau First range, appreciating their excellent sailing performance and speed while remaining comfortable and capable cruising yachts. I upsized from a Beneteau First 24 to the First 405 in 2010 with the intention of undertaking long-distance cruising.
Initially, Spirit III sailed mainly along the South Coast of England and was raced competitively by us and previous owners in events such as the Round the Island Race.
Significant preparation was undertaken to ready the boat for extended adventures, including:
Replacement of all teak decking (completed in 2012)
New engine fitted in 2013
New instruments and sails
Internally, the boat was fully rewired and equipped with a watermaker and solar panels, enabling self-sufficiency and long periods at sea.
Spirit III departed Gosport with ARC Portugal in 2014, entered the Mediterranean, and has cruised extensively there ever since, taking an annual berth in Lefkas Marina from 2018.
She has been exceptionally well suited to Mediterranean conditions, sailing beautifully in light winds — reflected in her low engine hours — while also proving herself capable and dependable in heavy seas, including a successful passage through the Bay of Biscay.
The powerful triple-spreader rig makes her easy to sail double-handed, with the majority of lines led back to the cockpit.
Over the past 14 years, I have been passionate about maintaining and sailing Spirit III. She holds many happy memories, but due to a change in circumstances, it is now time to pass her on to a new owner to be enjoyed once again.
Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith, in this case we are acting as Brokers only. Whilst every care has been taken in their preparation, the correctness of these particulars is not guaranteed. The particulars are intended only as a guide and they do not constitute a term of any contract. A prospective buyer is strongly advised to check the particulars and where appropriate at his own expense to employ a qualified Marine Surveyor to carry out a survey and/or to have an engine trial conducted which if conducted by us shall not imply any liability for such engine on our part.
This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice. Please contact us to book an appointment to inspect any yacht before you book flights or pay for travel. This is to ensure you have a confirmed booking in our diary with the right amount of time allocated to inspect the yachts you want. Our yachts are not all in one marina, yard or harbour and in season do change locations. To avoid disappointment, call or email before you make travel plans.
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Trusted British Yacht Brokers, Established almost 40 years, specialising in Cruising and Blue Water yachts offices in Lefkas Marina, Ionian Greece & Portsmouth / Chichester, UK. We specialise in live aboard blue water cruisers. Experienced, Professional, Qualified – All Brokers are Full Members of ABYA, we work to a code of practice, hold dedicated separate ‘Client’ bank Accounts and carry PI Insurance. As Blue water liveaboard specialists we also have extensive experience in lifting keel / centreboard yachts built in Aluminium and GRP having successfully represented the Feeling, Allures and Garcia Brands over the last 20 years.
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