Overview
The Beneteau First is designed by Jean Berret. It is a respected Cruiser/Racer and is known as a ‘comfortable but fast passage maker’. This yacht is privately owned, never chartered, and EU VAT has been paid.
It features numerous high-value replacements, updates, and upgrades during its current long-term ownership (see further details in full spec below). Key updates include:
- Teak decks replaced
- New Beta 50hp Engine (2013) with low hours
- Shaft drive to Gori folding propeller
- Rig and sails changed
The well-designed interior layout accommodates 8/9 people in three double cabins and the saloon berths. The interior condition is well above what is typically expected for a yacht of this age. Additional features include:
- Eberspacher heating
- Solar charging system
- Holding Tank
- Upgraded navigation equipment (2013, predominantly Raymarine)
- Comprehensive safety gear
- 2.6m tender with Honda outboard
This yacht is very well equipped and set up for long-term cruising. It has been well maintained and upgraded by long-term British private owners who have cruised on her each year for over a decade, though not as ‘liveaboards’ but during the main sailing season.
Another key benefit is that being just below the 12m threshold, it falls into the ‘lower Cruising Tax bracket’, providing additional savings. Priced competitively at £45,000.
Never chartered.
Berth in Lefkas Marina until May 2025.
Construction
Built by Beneteau Yachts, France in 1987
- Designed by Jean Berret
- Aft cockpit cruiser/racer
- White GRP hull (balsacore) deck & structure
- Teak decks (replaced 2012)
- Deep fin keel (cast iron)
- Spade hung rudder
- Wheel steering
Keel removed in 2002 for full epoxy treatment, new keel bolts fitted (by previous owner). Last structural survey was in 2010.
LOA: 40’0 (11.99m)
LWL: 35’7 (10.9m)
Beam: 12’9 (3.96m)
Draft: 7’2 (2.2m)
Displacement: 8.7 tons
Ballast: 3,700 Kg
Machinery
Beta 50 – 50hp engine (new 2013)
1,208 engine hours
Shaft drive to Gori folding prop.
Seal changed 2022
Engine unused since August 2022 (freshwater flushed and winterised)
Various spares for engine & watermaker
Electrics
12v/240v systems & shore power
Charging by mains, engine & solar
4 x Rolls RGM 160 amp domestic batteries (2013)
1 x Bosch 80 amp engine start battery (2018)
Sterling Pro charge ultra charger 60 amp
Solara Solar panels – 2 x 34wp & 2 x 45 wp
Solar charger – Blue Solar MPPT 70/15
Alternator to battery charger – digital – 80/130 amp
E-xpert Pro battery monitor
Tankage
Fuel: 1 x 130 ltrs (S/S)
Water: 3 tanks holding total 400 ltrs (fibreglass)
Holding: 1 tank (plastic)
Profile digital tank monitors for water & holding tank
Holding tank waste pump
Rig And 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 serviced by Waypoint 2017
Furlex rolling system new 2011
Spinnaker – light weight/heavy weight 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
Accommodation 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
Eberspacher 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
Deck
Horizontal electric Lewmar windlass (remote fitted 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 through 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 compasses
Wireless network – Red box with battery
Satcoms – Iridium 9922
AIS Raymarine AIS650
Navtex – ICS Navtex 6
SPX core pack
VHF splitter
LED nav lights
Horn (manual)
Tenders
Honway 2.67m inflatable tender T27IE (carried on deck)
Honda 2/4 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 pumps
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 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, 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, the responsibility to re-register or update official bodies for items such as EPIRB, VHF, MMSI, or AIS becomes yours.
Owners Comments
We have been particular fans of the Beneteau First due to their sailing performance and speed while being a comfortable boat to sail. I upsized from the Beneteau First 24 to the 405 in 2010 with a plan to do long-distance cruising. Initially, the boat sailed mainly on the South Coast of England and has been raced competitively by us and the previous owners in events such as the ‘Round The Island Race’.
The boat preparation for adventures included:
- Replacement of all the teak decking finished in 2012
- New engine fitted 2013
- New instruments and sails
Internally, the boat was rewired with a water maker and solar panels designed to enable self-sufficiency and long periods at sea.
Spirit III sailed from Gosport with ARC Portugal in 2014, entered the Med, and has been cruising extensively around here since then, taking an annual berth in Lefkas Marina from 2018.
She has suited the Med weather conditions and enabled fabulous sailing, needing only light winds, hence why the engine hours are so low. However, she has also been well tested in heavy seas and sailed well in the Bay of Biscay.
The powerful triple spreader rig means she is easy to sail double-handed, with the majority of lines leading back to the cockpit.
Over the last 14 years, I have been passionate about maintaining and sailing her. There are many happy memories, but due to a change of circumstances, it is now time to sell her and let Spirit III be enjoyed by a new owner.
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 (2021) to current owner
- Copy – Bill of Sale (2010) to current 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
Disclaimer And Travelling To Inspect
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith. While 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 do not constitute a term of any contract. A prospective buyer is strongly advised to check the particulars and, where appropriate, at their 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.
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