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Beneteau First 44.7

Beneteau · 2004–2007 · Sloop rig

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Beneteau First 44.7 profile drawing
LOA44.83'
Beam13'
Draft6.83'
Displ.10.1t
Rigsloop
HullFiberglass

Bluewater Evidence · Ocean Proven

95% confidence
Doc.CapableProven

13 named boats of this design have finished ocean races in the official results: Mr Beaks Ribs (Sydney Hobart 2006, 2007, 2008), Another Painkiller (Sydney Hobart 2017, 2019), Alacrity (Sydney Hobart 2006, 2007), Bowline (Sydney Hobart 2021, 2022), and 9 more.

Overview

The Beneteau First 44.7 is a Bruce Farr racer-cruiser built by Beneteau, built from 2004 to 2007 according to sailboatdata.com. Its place in this catalog rests on its ocean racing record: 13 different boats of the design have finished ocean races in the official results (Newport Bermuda Race, Sydney Hobart).

Design and Construction

sailboatdata.com lists the underbody as fin with bulb and spade rudder, 44.83 ft overall on a 37.67 ft waterline, with 13 ft of beam and 6.83 ft of draft. Displacement is about 20,126 lb with 8,047 lb of ballast, and the fractional sloop carries about 1,032 sq ft.

Ocean Racing Record

Mr Beaks Ribs (Nicholas Press) finished the Sydney Hobart (2006, 2007, 2008). Another Painkiller (Rod West (5) QLD) finished the Sydney Hobart (2017, 2019). Alacrity (Matthew Percy (1) QLD) finished the Sydney Hobart (2006, 2007). Bowline (Ian Roberts) finished the Sydney Hobart (2021, 2022). Other finishers include Solace, Slide Rule, Cougar, First National, Auch, Twitch.

Four Stars, a First 44.7 skippered by Timothy McAdams, won the IRC division of the 2006 Newport Bermuda Race, the centennial running.

Passage records

Mr Beaks Ribs· Nicholas Press2008

Sydney Hobart (2006, 2007, 2008)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2006 results

Another Painkiller· Rod West2019

Sydney Hobart (2017, 2019)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 results

Alacrity· Matthew Percy2007

Sydney Hobart (2006, 2007)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2006 results

Bowline· Ian Roberts2022

Sydney Hobart (2021, 2022)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2021 results

Water Venture2013

Rolex Fastnet Race (2009, 2011, 2013)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Rolex Fastnet Race 2013 results

Lisa2017

Rolex Fastnet Race (2013, 2015, 2017)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Rolex Fastnet Race 2017 results

Sciara2013

Rolex Middle Sea Race (2010, 2012, 2013)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Royal Malta Yacht Club: Rolex Middle Sea Race 2013 results

Courrier du Coeur2015

Rolex Middle Sea Race (2013, 2015)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Royal Malta Yacht Club: Rolex Middle Sea Race 2015 results

Lisa· Nick Jones2012

Rolex Middle Sea Race (2012)

Finished.

Source: Royal Malta Yacht Club: Rolex Middle Sea Race 2012 results

Water Venture2010

Round Ireland Race (2010)

Finished.

Source: Round Ireland Race 2010 results

Another Brick2023

ARC (2019, 2021, 2023)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: World Cruising Club: ARC 2023 results

Apex2007

ARC (2007)

Finished.

Source: World Cruising Club: ARC 2007 results

Solace2025

Sydney Hobart (2024, 2025)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart 2025 results

First National2004

Sydney Hobart (2004)

Finished.

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart 2004 results

Freedom II· Adriano de Concini & Liliana Ginanneschi2014

Atlantic Odyssey (2014)

Finished.

Source: Cornell Sailing Atlantic Odyssey 2014 results

Extra Mile· Matt Pokress2025

Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race (2025)

Finished.

Source: Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race 2025 results

Big Kahoona2015

Sydney Gold Coast (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015)

Finished 5 times in the official results.

Source: CYCA Sydney Gold Coast 2015 results

Mr Beaks Ribs2010

Sydney Gold Coast (2009, 2010)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: CYCA Sydney Gold Coast 2010 results

Le Billet2016

Sydney Gold Coast (2014, 2015, 2016)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: CYCA Sydney Gold Coast 2016 results

Alacrity· Matthew Percy2015

Sydney Gold Coast (2015)

Finished.

Source: CYCA Sydney Gold Coast 2015 results

Bowline2025

Sydney Gold Coast (2025)

Finished.

Source: CYCA Sydney Gold Coast 2025 results

Crystal2012

China Sea Race (2008, 2010, 2012)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: RHKYC China Sea Race 2012 results

Walawala2008

China Sea Race (2006, 2008)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: RHKYC China Sea Race 2008 results

Walawala· Steve Manning2007

Hong Kong to Hainan Race (2007)

Finished.

Source: RHKYC Hong Kong to Hainan Race 2007 results

Brown Eyed Girl2019

Newport to Cabo San Lucas Race (2019)

Finished.

Source: Newport Harbor Yacht Club Cabo Race 2019 results

Taiten2021

Giraglia Race (2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)

Finished 5 times in the official results.

Source: Yacht Club Italiano Giraglia Race 2021 results

Courrier du Coeur2019

Giraglia Race (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)

Finished 4 times in the official results.

Source: Yacht Club Italiano Giraglia Race 2019 results

Argo2019

Giraglia Race (2015, 2018, 2019)

Finished 3 times in the official results.

Source: Yacht Club Italiano Giraglia Race 2019 results

Sciara2014

Giraglia Race (2014)

Finished.

Source: Yacht Club Italiano Giraglia Race 2014 results

Another Painkiller· Rod West QLD2018

Sydney Gold Coast (2018)

Finished.

Source: CYCA Sydney Gold Coast 2018 results

Vivacite· Darryl Hodgkinson NSW2009

Sydney Gold Coast (2009)

Finished.

Source: CYCA Sydney Gold Coast 2009 results

Cougar2005

Sydney Hobart (2005)

Finished.

Source: Rolex Sydney Hobart 2005 results

Crystal2015

San Fernando Race (2013, 2015)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: RHKYC San Fernando Race 2015 results

Jolanda2022

Giraglia Race (2022)

Finished.

Source: Yacht Club Italiano Giraglia Race 2022 results

Twitch· Barry & Betty Walsh2017

Fremantle to Bali Ocean Race (2017)

Finished.

Source: Fremantle Sailing Club: Fremantle to Bali Race 2017 results

Russes2018

Palermo-Montecarlo Race (2018)

Finished.

Source: Circolo della Vela Sicilia: Palermo-Montecarlo 2018 results

Courrier Du Coeur2019

Palermo-Montecarlo Race (2019)

Finished.

Source: Circolo della Vela Sicilia: Palermo-Montecarlo 2019 results

Sciara2013

Roma per 2 / Roma per Tutti (2013)

Finished.

Source: Circolo Nautico Riva di Traiano: Roma per 2 2013 results

Argo2016

Roma per 2 / Roma per Tutti (2016)

Finished.

Source: Circolo Nautico Riva di Traiano: Roma per 2 2016 results

Atlantic Union2018

Regata al Sol, Pensacola to Isla Mujeres (2018)

Finished.

Source: Southern Yacht Club / Pensacola Yacht Club: Regata al Sol 2018 results

Atlantic Union II2024

Regata al Sol, Pensacola to Isla Mujeres (2024)

Finished.

Source: Southern Yacht Club / Pensacola Yacht Club: Regata al Sol 2024 results

Notorious2014

Round North Island Race (2014)

Finished.

Source: SSANZ Round North Island 2014 results

Atamai· Bryon Wright & Simon Malpas2019

Round White Island Race (2019)

Finished.

Source: SSANZ Round White Island 2019 results

Notorious· Christiaan Arns2014

Auckland to Fiji Race (2014)

Finished.

Source: ANZ Sail Fiji (Auckland to Fiji) 2014 results

Vespucci's Black Sheep2011

RORC Myth of Malham Race (2009, 2011)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Myth of Malham 2011 results

Water Venture2011

RORC Myth of Malham Race (2009, 2011)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Myth of Malham 2011 results

Lisa2017

RORC Myth of Malham Race (2016, 2017)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Myth of Malham 2017 results

Yes!2004

RORC Myth of Malham Race (2004)

Finished.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Myth of Malham 2004 results

Water Venture2012

RORC Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race (2012)

Finished.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Cowes-Dinard-St Malo 2012 results

Courrier Du Coeur2007

RORC Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race (2006, 2007)

Finished 2 times in the official results.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Cowes-Dinard-St Malo 2007 results

Dragon2005

RORC Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race (2005)

Finished.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Cowes-Dinard-St Malo 2005 results

Koko Kai2011

RORC Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race (2011)

Finished.

Source: Royal Ocean Racing Club: Cowes-Dinard-St Malo 2011 results

What sailing channels say about the Beneteau First 44.7, quoted from video transcripts with a link to the exact moment. Opinions belong to the speakers; the written review above stays independent of them.

discusses

Reviewing a 2004 First 44.7 listed in Maryland, the presenter gives the numbers: a beam "about 13 ft", "almost 45 ft long overall with a waterline of roughly 37 ft 8 in", displacement "around 20,000 lb with approximately 8,000 lb of ballast", a ballast ratio close to 40%. He says that explains why reviewers call the boat stiff and powerful.

discusses

The presenter notes the very large wheel ("60-plus inches"), a cockpit built for active sailing with a usable mainsheet traveler, and a generous standard sail plan with overlapping genoas of 145 or 150. He warns that "the loads these sails produce are real", so winches, furling gear, running rigging and deck hardware need to be in good shape.

warns⚙ standing rigging⚙ keel structure⚙ chainplates⚙ mast step

On a boat with offshore race history, the presenter says the rig has been cycled thousands of times and the keel structure, rudder bearing, steering, chainplates, mast step and deck fittings have all worked harder than on a boat that only motored to the fuel dock, so the survey should be done by someone who understands performance boats. He adds that the standing rigging replacement history is not mentioned in the listing and older rod rigging would be a significant cost.

discusses

The presenter says the standard draft is 6 ft 10 in and the deep keel draws 8 ft, which is "magnificent when sailing upwind" but limits anchorages, canals and shallow cruising grounds. He still sees the Caribbean, Chesapeake, Great Lakes and Atlantic cruising as possible.

recommends

His verdict: not the perfect cruising boat for everybody, but for a sailor who cares about pointing angle, helm feedback, balance and efficiency, the First 44.7 offers something a slow floating apartment does not.

discusses

The broker notes the Farr-designed 44.7 won the Sailing World Boat of the Year cruiser racer award in 2004 and that the boat accelerates easily in light air. He says this one is set up to cruise, with solar, a fully battened main with lazy jacks, and control lines led to the cockpit for short-handed sailing.

discusses

The broker says this boat is a regular weekend-series competitor that has been club champion and has raced the Sydney Southport race. He says it carries a full wardrobe of racing and cruising sails, and that the 44.7 was designed as a very competitive IRC boat that is also easily driven.

  1. [1]MagazineSailing World: Beneteau 44.7, A Refined Thoroughbred- engine power: "The standard engine is a 40 hp. Volvo 2040 powering a sail drive unit; the optional engine is a 55 hp."
  2. [2]MagazinePractical Sailor: Fast and the Farr-ious- Model-specific review used for page detail.
  3. [3]MagazineCruising World: MaxSea Navigation Equipment Helps Win 2006 Newport-Bermuda Race- Model-specific review used for page detail.
  4. [4]SpecificationsBENETEAU FIRST 44.7 - SailboatData.com- Dimensions, displacement, ballast, sail area, keel, rig, designer and production.
  5. [5]EditorialRolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2006 results- Official results; Beneteau First 44.7 finishes.
  6. [6]EditorialRolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2017 results- Official results; Beneteau First 44.7 finishes.
  7. [7]EditorialRolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2021 results- Official results; Beneteau First 44.7 finishes.
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