First 44 and 44 Performance: Beneteau further expands its sports line with the new First 44

That was quick! Just two months after the first test of the new First 36, the world market leader presented the second premiere of its sporty line this year: the First 44, which is more in line with the flagship in terms of appearance and design and also has the same fathers: Roberto Biscontini is responsible for the lines and construction, Lorenzo Argento for the design.

And yet the 44, which will also be available in parallel as the even more agile and lighter 44 Performance, sets its own accents. You could perhaps put it like this: the smaller the hull, the more ambitious the expected sailing performance.

While the First Yacht 53 can be categorised more in the luxury segment, the new yacht is intended to be a cruiser-racer in the true sense of the word - and with all the options that increase its potential, possibly even a racer-cruiser, as the shipyard writes in its announcement.

On request, the standard boat will be available with two ballast tanks, each holding 300 litres, which can be filled electrically. This is intended to compensate for the lack of weight on the high side when sailing with a small crew. There is also a 1.80 metre longer carbon fibre mast (standard: aluminium, height above waterline 19.50 metres). Owners can choose between a draught of 2.15 metres (standard) or 2.50 metres (race).

The Performance version with deep keel is said to displace only 9.8 tonnes; only slightly more than the Grand Soleil 44 Performance, to take one of its direct competitors as a benchmark. The standard First 44 weighs 10.3 tonnes. The sail carrying capacity of the standard boat is 4.7 tonnes - rather moderate. In the hottest configuration, however, it is 5.1 tonnes, which puts the First clearly in the upper performance range. A JPK 45, for example, is slightly lower at 5.0 tonnes.

The corresponding cockpit layouts are also clearly different. The 44 Performance has six winches and comes with a very light deck covering made of EVA foam. Its bowsprit extends 1.50 metres beyond the stem (standard: 1 metre); the genoa is sheeted via inhaulers as standard. The First 44, on the other hand, has only four winches, two in front of each helm station, and a teak-style deck.

Below deck, the layout remains essentially the same: three spacious double compartments, two heads compartments. However, the weight-optimised performance version varies in terms of the size and position of the tanks and the shower partition - instead of Plexiglas doors, there are only lightweight nylon curtains.

There's no doubt about it: Beneteau has ambitious plans for the new first generation. For a boat from large-scale production, the spread between basic and regatta trim is enormous. The first shipyard tests with the boat are due to start in early summer. The trade fair premiere will take place in September at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Beneteau has not yet announced a price. We will keep you up to date as soon as we find out more.