Draft:Beneteau First 36.7

Beneteau First 36.7
The Beneteau First 36.7 is a sailboat designed by Bruce Farr as a One Design performance racing/cruising boat. First built in 2001 for the 2002 model year, It's Farr's design no. 446

In 2002 the boat won Sailing World's 'Best Value' award.



Design
The boat's main design goal was to be a high-performance cruising boat, with a One Design racing fleet. Following in the footsteps of the Beneteau First 40.7, the boat features a deck layout comparable to a full-scale racing boat, while the cabin resembles a luxurious cruising yacht.

The hull is a displacement hull, made of un-cored fiberglass. The deck is fiberglass with a busla wood core in high-load areas. Below the waterline, The keel is cast from lead and attached to the hull structure via stainless steel bolts. The rudder is foam-cored fiberglass with a hollow aluminum rudder post. The 36.7 features a 'SailDrive' propulsion system with a two-blade brass folding propeller attached to a Volvo Penta water cooled diesel engine.

The rig is a hollow aluminum spar built by Charleston Spar now Sparcraft. American-built boats have two spreaders with rod standing rigging, while French-built boats have three spreader rigs with cable standing rigging. The boat is a fractional sloop and lacks running backstays simplifying the rig. The spreaders are swept aft and shrouds terminate at two turnbuckles at the deck level.

The cabin features a large salon with two cushioned benches surrounding a two-leaf folding table in the center. The salon area features six latching and vented cabinets along the hull. A non-opening portlight is recessed into the hull, and four opening portlights plus a large center hatch provide natural light and ventilation. Forward of the salon is a V-Berth which is capable of sleeping two. The cabin includes a latching hanging locker, a changing area, ample shelf space, and two opening hatches. To port is the head with a manual flushing Jabsco toilet. The sink faucet may be raised out of the sink and clipped onto a hook on the wall allowing for warm showers. An electric pump and floor drain guide the gray shower water overboard. An opening hatch provides ventilation. Aft starboard there is a forward-facing navigational station featuring a large chart table, more storage compartments, and 12-volt and 120-volt electrical breakers. Aft port is the galley, featuring a double stainless steel sink, top loading electric refrigerator, two burner gimbaled propane stove, and ample latching storage cabinets. Aft of the Galley is a double berth featuring a latching hanging locker, ample shelf space, and two opening portlights. Aft starboard is a single berth with a latching hanging locker, ample shelf space, and two opening portlights.