Beneteau First Class 8
Description
The Beneteau First Class 8 is a compact fractional sloop monotype designed by Jacques Fauroux and Jean-Marie Finot (Groupe Finot) and built by Beneteau in France from 1982 to 1994. Created as a high-performance one-design racer for IMS (International Measurement System) handicap events, it emphasizes speed, simplicity, and seaworthiness with a swing keel for shallow-draft versatility and a large sail plan for light-air prowess. With 969 units produced, it became a popular club racer and day sailer, particularly in Europe, known for its lively handling when pushed hard. Owners describe it as a "fantastic performer" with excellent sailing properties, ideal for solo or double-handed coastal racing or family outings in protected waters—though its lightweight build suits moderate conditions, not heavy offshore.
Construction Details
| Designer | Groupe Finot |
|---|---|
| Builder | Beneteau |
| Length | 25.200 ft |
| LOA | 25.420 ft |
| LWL | 21.670 ft |
| Beam | 8.160 ft |
| Displacement | 3100 lb |
| Ballast | 1150 lb |
| Max Draft | 5.800 ft |
| Min Draft | 2.250 ft |
| Year Built | 1982 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 29.30 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 9.19 ft |
| p | 32.97 ft |
| e | 11.15 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29.30 ft | 9.19 ft | 32.97 ft | 11.15 ft | - | - | - | - |
Sails
Beneteau First Class 8 - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 32.97 ft - (10049 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 11.15 ft - (3399 mm) |
| Leech | * 34.08 ft - (10388 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 87.98 ° |
| Diagonal | * 34.43 ft - (10494 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 5.25 in - (133 mm) |
| Area | * 188.19 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Beneteau First Class 8 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | 24.57 ft - (7489 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 12.13 ft - (3697 mm) |
| Leech | * 21.41 ft - (6526 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115.02 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 10.57 ft - (3222 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 11.97 ° |
| Area | * 129.85 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Beneteau First Class 8 - GENOA
| Luff | 29.17 ft - (8891 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 14.8 ft - (4511 mm) |
| Leech | * 27.48 ft - (8376 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 149.95 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 13.78 ft - (4200 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.97 ° |
| Area | * 201 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Beneteau First Class 8 - GENOA
| Luff | 29 ft - (8839 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 13.33 ft - (4063 mm) |
| Leech | 27.25 ft - (8306 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 135.47 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 12.45 ft - (3795 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.51 ° |
| Area | * 180.54 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Beneteau First Class 8 - GENOA
| Luff | 29.167 ft - (8890 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 15.167 ft - (4623 mm) |
| Leech | 27.75 ft - (8458 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 154.52 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 14.2 ft - (4328 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.14 ° |
| Area | * 207.1 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Beneteau First Class 8 - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | 30 ft - (9144 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 20 ft - (6096 mm) |
| Leech | 36 ft - (10973 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 450 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Beneteau First Class 8 - SPINNAKER
| Stays | 30 ft - (9144 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | 20 ft - (6096 mm) |
| Foot | 20 ft - (6096 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 510 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Beneteau First Class 8 - STORMJIB
| Luff | * 16.89 ft - (5148 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 6.85 ft - (2088 mm) |
| Leech | * 13.95 ft - (4252 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 59.96 % |
| Length Perp | * 5.51 ft - (1679 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 19.07 ° |
| Area | * 46.51 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
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.