First 44 : Latest addition to the First range
Started in 2018, the relaunch of the First range now finds its culmination. After the First 53 (ex First Yacht 53, which lost its yacht title after the project for larger units was abandoned for the time being) and the First 36, the new First 44 is announced for the end of 2022. It will complete a range that is resolutely positioned in the exclusivity niche, as Bénéteau's management explained to us a few months ago.
"With 7 boats including the former Seascape yachts, from 14 to 53 feet, we can really consider having a range." confirms Luc Joëssel, head of communications at Bénéteau.
Optimized hull and equipment for fast sailing
For the First 44, Bénéteau called on the same duo as for the 53-footer, namely Roberto Biscontini for the naval architecture and Lorenzo Argento for the design. "The goal with the whole First 44 team was to further improve the Performance Cruiser concept, which is never easy as the architecture of these boats is based on many conflicting requirements. We tried to find the right balance between cruising comfort, performance and safety, and are very pleased with the final result. The new First 44 shares the style and elegance of the First 53, and is also similar in the organization of the spaces; however, some new features make it an even more performance-oriented unit." says the architect.
To work on this performance, the shipyard also relied on Michel Desjoyeaux's Mer Forte design office and a multi-disciplinary team, including North Sails, Harken and Sparcraft, to optimize the performance version, which is 500 kg lighter.
The boat is built entirely in infusion and has in its cruiser version 2 ballasts of 300 L electrically operated from the cockpit. "The goal is not to sacrifice performance if we don't have enough people at the recall, for example in cruising." says Luc Joëssel.
Where the First 44 version offers 4 winches and a fixed mainsheet point to favor cockpit fittings and teak, the First 44 Performance has 6 winches, a mainsheet track, a carbon delphinière and a hydraulic backstay. Draught and mast sizes are also adapted to the program, going from a keel of 2.15 meters to 2.50 meters.
The standard sail area is 106 m².
Careful planning
If the name yacht disappears, the filiation with the 53 feet is confirmed with a neat interior, made of lacquered partitions and careful cabinetry. The yacht offers 2 aft cabins and a forward owner's cabin with its own bathroom. The second bathroom is located on the starboard side opposite the L-shaped galley. A nice saloon with a table on port side for 6 persons is completed with a bench on starboard side with a chart table.
The boat will be presented at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2022.
