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 sailboatA 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.

'Gremlick', a Beneteau First 435 for Sale

She may well be sold by now, but the ad will be retained for anyone looking for some great interior pics and more info about these popular cruising boats. 

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

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Beneteau First 435

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. 

Other sailboats in the Beneteau First product range include:

A Beneteau First 28 sailboatThe Beneteau First 28

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