First 44

RACER-CRUISER ROYALTY

“FIRST was born forty-five years ago with the launch of the legendary FIRST 30, and we doubly celebrate the occasion this year with the announcement of the FIRST 36 in January and the arrival of the FIRST 44 today, finalizing the renewal of a standard-bearing range now entirely redrawn and complete”, says Yann Masselot, BENETEAU's Brand Director. “ The boat pencils itself in among such great 40’ to 45’ BENETEAU yachts as the FIRST 40.7, the 45f5 or more recently the FIRST 40 and 45”.

NAVAL ARCHITECT: BISCONTINI YACHT DESIGN

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR DESIGN: LORENZO ARGENTO

Today, the FIRST 44 embodies a natural link between the FIRST 36 and FIRST 53, equally refining and redefining performance, elegance and comfort - a new Biscontini/Argento creation that truly denies itself nothing. She’s a lovely sailing yacht with a remarkable design, offering through her architecture and build quality an experience underway that is simply second to none.

A DUAL DESIGN

With the new FIRST 44, BENETEAU has delivered the noblest version of a “racer/cruiser”: an elegant and comfortable yacht that provides unequaled enjoyment under sail. With the same methodical approach honed on his work on America Cup racers, Roberto Biscontini went through several revisions and improvements to deliver a powerful and well-balanced hull, which is coupled with an ample sail plan to deliver lively sailing in any conditions.

The FIRST 44 was imagined with two deck layouts to satisfy a greater variety of wishes and needs. The FIRST 44 version distinguishes itself with an inviting and comfortable cockpit, where wide side decks converge towards a folding cockpit table. Four winches, a fixed centerline block for the mainsheet, and a mast that is set further aft all maximize the potential of her modern sail plan, defined by a slender mainsail and generously sized foresails.

In order to make the serious performance even more accessible, BENETEAU used experience from ballast systems and the Figaro 2 to deliver that same technology to FIRST 44 owners; twin 80-gallon ballast tanks, activated electronically from the helm stations, offer the possibility of reaching the boat’s full potential with a reduced crew.

On the FIRST 44 PERFORMANCE, deck ergonomics were studied and developed with fully crewed regattas in mind. Equipment and systems are geared towards racing, such as the foam non-skid surfaces that replace the teak on the cockpit sole, six well-placed winches, and a conventional mainsail traveler. The rigging and sail setup includes a 4 ½’ bowsprit, a hydraulic backstay, a powerful in-hauler system, and a performance keel/mast combo that will satisfy the most demanding captains and crews.

A SUPERIOR STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATIONS

The FIRST 44 is infused with Lorenzo Argento’s style, a distinctive blend of elegance and modernity. Her three-cabin, two-head layout is a combination of quality materials interwoven into a masterful finish. In the salon the six-seater table stands opposite the couch and nav station; its position in reference to the mast eases the movement between the galley and master stateroom, accentuating the spacious interior.

This arrangement is enhanced by superb craftsmanship, a refined combination of white lacquered surfaces, molded woods, touches of indirect lighting and a large selection of luxurious upholsteries.

EXPERTISE AS A CORNERSTONE

Assembled in a specially dedicated workshop, the FIRST 44 takes full benefit of BENETEAU’s expertise and the knowledge of the industry’s sharpest minds. Subjected by their owners to the rigors of offshore racing, FIRSTs are always the result of a rigorous development and perfection process. The engineering of the FIRST 44 was entrusted to the Mer Forte firm, well known for its work on high-end blue-water race boats, including the celebrated Figaro BENETEAU 3.

DUAL DESIGN

The FIRST 44 is presented in two main setups, FIRST 44 and FIRST 44 PERFORMANCE, each with different deck plans and options for keels and masts.

STREAMLINED INTERIOR

She offers a streamlined interior layout that is modern and well-lit, with a blend of white lacquered surfaces, molded woods, and tasteful upholsteries.

EXPERTISE

She is crafted and finished in a dedicated workshop that delivers the full scope of BENETEAU expertise.

OCEANIS SERIES: OCEANIS 30.1 - OCEANIS 34.1 - OCEANIS 37.1 - OCEANIS 38.1 - OCEANIS 40.1 - OCEANIS 46.1 - OCEANIS 51.

OCEANIS YACHT SERIES: OCEANIS YACHT 54 - OCEANIS YACHT 60

FIRST SERIES: FIRST 14 -  FIRST 14SE -  FIRST 18SE -  FIRST 24 -  FIRST 24SE -  FIRST 27 -  FIRST 27SE -  FIRST 36 -  FIRST 44 - FIRST 44 PERFORMANCE -  FIRST 53