Beneteau First 44 (14 m): the first photo underway

Here it is, at last, the new Beneteau First 44 (14.15 x 4.25 m). She has just made her official debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival, celebrating the 45th anniversary of the First brand, born in 1977. Designed by Roberto Biscontini (naval architecture) and Lorenzo Argento (design), it is the French shipyard’s 2023 major novelty.

Beneteau is therefore continuing on the renewal path dedicated to sport cruising (which also includes the First 36 and First 53). What do you think of the new Beneteau First 44?

Beneteau First 44, sustainability “driver”

In Cannes, the presentation of the new 44-footer was also an opportunity to take stock of the sustainability-oriented solutions that Beneteau is putting into practice.

“On the product development side, we are currently focused on reducing the environmental impact in two key areas: composite materials and propulsion systems” – explains Gianguido Girotti, Boat Division CEO.

For the launch of the First 44, a special team was formed to work together with French manufacturer Arkema to build a hull made exclusively of recycled resin. The same treatment will also be reserved for building two prototypes of the Mini 6.6 racing sailboat.

The new Beneteau First 44and Mini 6.5 will be unveiled during the next winter boat shows.

“We decided to change the way we produce our small composite parts and we introduced a new bio-sourced resin and natural fiber to replace the classic one. We also decided to look at the energy consumption at our plants. We have decided to collaborate with a local actor called Vendée Energie to install 4 hectares of photovoltaic shadehouse over all the parking lots at our production sites. – continues Mr. Girotti.

In addition to composite materials, the other change in product development is the transition to low- or zero-emission propulsion systems, and the Beneteau Group has identified electric motor giant Torqeedo as a partner in the monohull and multihull sector.

Beneteau First 44, 2023 new entry

Let’s start with the designers. Biscontini-Argento, the duo of Italian designers who are shaping the French giant’s new line. Lorenzo Argento was part of the design team that designed the First 36, whose hull, however, was entrusted to Sam Manuard. With the 44, the waterlines return to be designed by Roberto Biscontini, who has already signed for Beneteau the First Yacht 53 and the Oceanis Yacht 54.

The Beneteau First 44 is presented in two main layouts, the Standard and the Performance, with a different deck plan and different options for the keel and mast. The interior is a “blend of white lacquered surfaces, moulded woods and tasteful upholstery”, as if to connote an elegant yet understated design. Conceptually, the First 44 remains a cruiser, but as it belongs to this range it is a model that cannot neglect performance, so the study of the interior is also done to keep the boat within a certain displacement level.

Beneteau First 44, the two versions

Standard version

The First 44 Standard is distinguished by a comfortable cockpit, where the large side benches converge towards a beautiful cockpit table. There are four winches, a fixed central point for the mainsail sheet and a mast that has been positioned as far aft as possible in order to have a gaff-rigged boat but with a vertically projecting mainsail and generously sized headsails. Beneteau also gives the option on this version of installing two water ballasts of 80 litres each, to maximize performance even with a smaller crew, which can be activated electronically from the helm station.

On the Beneteau First 44 Performance, the ergonomics of the cockpit and deck have been developed with full crew racing in mind. The equipment and systems are totally geared towards racing, including the non-slip foam surfaces that replace the teak in the cockpit, six well-positioned winches and a mainsail with a conventional mainsail traveller. There is a hydraulic backstay, a powerful in-hauler system for the jib, plus a high-performance keel/mast combo to satisfy the most demanding crews.

Interior

The Italian style by Lorenzo Argento is all there, with a 3-cabin layout and a large saloon with a chart table and six seats.

Here is the signature Italian style of Lorenzo Argento, who has designed a three-cabin layout and a saloon with a six-seater table in front of the sofa and chart table; its positioning relative to the mast facilitates movement between the galley and the master cabin, accentuating the feeling of space.

“I would like to sincerely congratulate Roberto for creating this combination of hull/ballast/equipment, which gives us a yacht that is extremely pleasant high-performance,” said Lorenzo Argento. “I have tried to reproduce this fluidity and spirit through the design of the deck and the interior, maximizing the use of volumes and minimising the impact of any restrictions. For example, the position of the mast had a great influence on the way the interior is arranged, and we were able to come up with a practical and harmonious solution for the table-dinette-couch area.”

“The goal with the entire team,” explains Roberto Biscontini, “was to perfect the Performance Cruiser concept, which is no easy because the architecture of these boats is based on many requirements that are not easy to reconcile. We tried to find the right balance between comfort, performance and safety, and we are quite satisfied with the end result. The new First 44 shares the style and elegance of the FIRST 53, and is similar in the space arrangement and volumes, but some elements and features of its design take it one step further in its quest for performance,” said the designer.

Technical specs

LOA 14.15 m-14.65 Performance
LH 13.15 m
Beam 4.25 m
Draft 2.15 m – 2.60 mt Performance
Unladen Displacement: 10,300 kg, 9,800 kg Performance
Ballast  3,300 kg – 3,000 Performance
Mainsail (upwind) 106 m2 – 117 m2 with carbon mast
Asymmetric 170 m2
Engine 57 HP
Price from EUR 335,000.00 euro + VAT

www.beneteau.com