Beneteau First 36.7

 

Issue: June 2002
Manufacturer: Beneteau

History will show Beneteau's First 40.7 to be a pivotal yacht. It was introduced at a time when ocean racing was in yet another state of transformation, as rating problems combine with rampant technology to create grand prix boats of a complexity that not many people could understand, let alone afford.

But Beneteau understood the trend and introduced its cruiser/racer line, designed by Bruce Farr, to rate well under IRC, but built of low-tech materials so mere mortals could afford to buy and run them.

The grand prix guys sneered, because the 40.7 had a lot of freeboard and accommodation - an HRT Commodore lined up against Michael Schumacher's Ferrari. But when Sydney's Whiston brothers bought a pair of 40.7s, then fitted them out with good gear and crew, they had huge success - the grand prix guys stopped sneering.

The 36.7 was devised for the same role. Farr drew a quick hull (his drawings label the 36.7 'Fast Cruising Boat, Race Version' and Beneteau built it of familiar materials including a solid fibreglass hull, a conservative lead keel and alloy spars.

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In this era of techno-snobbery it is too easy to judge products by the complexity of concept, construction and materials - the best mobile phone is not necessarily the smallest and most complex, it is only the most voguish. Consumers lose sight of the fact that the best technology is appropriate technology. End of sermon.

The 36.7's fibreglass hull is reinforced by the usual Beneteau internal grid, bonded to the hull skin moulding. "It would be easy to put in a layer of Kevlar", says Christophe Vanek of Beneteau Vicsail. "It would cost nothing and look good on the spec sheet, but it isn't necessary." The deck however, is cored, with balsa.

The real trick, says Christophe, is spending the time to get the details right - putting water and fuel tanks in the right place, getting as much weight out of the ends as possible, refining the rig. This is the area, he says, where the designer earns his money and where the builder must spend considerable development time.

The 36.7 follows the 40.7's lead in other areas. The saloon table is removable for racing, as are the cockpit stowage bins, enabling the boat to change character. The rig is uncomplicated, twin spreaders and discontinuous rigging supporting an aluminium keel-stepped mast.

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