The Beneteau First 435 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Beneteau First 435, an aft-cockpit sloop, was designed by German Frers and built in France by Beneteau.

A Beneteau First 435

Published Specification for the Beneteau First 435

Underwater Profile: Fin keel with spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 43'6" (13.3m)

Waterline Length: 36'1" (11.0m)

Beam: 13'1" (4.0m)

Draft: 7'5" (2.3m)*

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 23,809lb (10,800kg)

Designer: German Frers

Builder: Beneteau (France)

Year First Built: 1984

Year Last Built: 1987

* A centreboard version was also produced, drawing 5'6" (1.7m) with the board up and 9'7" (2.9m) with it down.

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Published Design Ratios for the Beneteau First 435

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.7

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 38.9

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 226

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 31.3

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Beneteau First 435

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.7 suggests that the Beneteau First 435 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 38.9 means that a sailboat like the Beneteau First 435 (which doesn't have a stiffness-enhancing bulb keel), is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 226, tells us the Beneteau First 435 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 31.3 suggests that crew comfort of a Beneteau First 435 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 indicates that a Beneteau First 435 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.