Beneteau First 435
Description
The Beneteau First 435 is a robust center-cockpit cruiser-racer masthead sloop designed by German Frers and built by Beneteau in France from 1986 to 1990. As a flagship of the First line during the IOR era, it was engineered for competitive offshore racing (e.g., Admiral's Cup influences) while delivering exceptional bluewater cruising comfort, with a fin keel for upwind performance and a spacious teak interior for family voyages. Approximately 150 units were produced, many still sailing globally in PHRF fleets or as proven passage makers. Variants include a shoal-draft keel (5.25 ft) for shallower waters and 3- or 4-cabin layouts for charters. Owners highlight its "stable and powerful" qualities and Frers' elegant hull lines, though it's susceptible to chainplate leaks and deck core rot—requiring proactive refits. It's a timeless 1980s design, versatile for coastal races or extended cruises, with a PHRF base of 81.
Construction Details
| Designer | German Frers |
|---|---|
| Builder | Beneteau |
| Length | 44.580 ft |
| LOA | 44.580 ft |
| LWL | 36.090 ft |
| Beam | 13.420 ft |
| Displacement | 23809 lb |
| Ballast | 8818 lb |
| Max Draft | 7.500 ft |
| Year Built | 1986 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 57.98 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 17.25 ft |
| p | 51.75 ft |
| e | 15.58 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57.98 ft | 17.25 ft | 51.75 ft | 15.58 ft | - | - | - | - |
Sails
Beneteau First 435 - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 51.75 ft - (15773 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 15.58 ft - (4749 mm) |
| Leech | * 53.1 ft - (16185 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 53.52 ft - (16313 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 6 in - (152 mm) |
| Area | * 410.12 ft² |
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Beneteau First 435 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | 48.39 ft - (14749 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 22.59 ft - (6885 mm) |
| Leech | * 42.5 ft - (12954 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115.01 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 19.84 ft - (6047 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 12 ° |
| Area | * 480 ft² |
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Beneteau First 435 - GENOA
| Luff | 57.47 ft - (17517 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 27.64 ft - (8425 mm) |
| Leech | * 54.33 ft - (16560 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150.03 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 25.88 ft - (7888 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.98 ° |
| Area | * 743.71 ft² |
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Beneteau First 435 - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | * 57.47 ft - (17517 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 28.46 ft - (8675 mm) |
| Leech | * 52.87 ft - (16115 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 1227 ft² |
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Beneteau First 435 - SPINNAKER
| Stays | * 57.47 ft - (17517 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | * 31.05 ft - (9464 mm) |
| Foot | * 31.05 ft - (9464 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 1517 ft² |
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Beneteau First 435 - STORMJIB
| Luff | * 33.27 ft - (10141 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 12.72 ft - (3877 mm) |
| Leech | * 27.87 ft - (8495 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 60 % |
| Length Perp | * 10.35 ft - (3155 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 18.97 ° |
| Area | * 172.18 ft² |
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Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.