The 2024 Beneteau First 44 represents the French builder's finest expression of performance sailing — a yacht that wins races on Saturday and crosses oceans on Monday. Stretching 14.15 metres with a 4.25m beam and 2.15m draft, the First 44 is drawn for speed without sacrificing the comfort that makes blue-water passagemaking genuinely enjoyable. Three double cabins below mean a full racing crew sleeps well, or a cruising couple hosts guests in real style.
Beneteau's First line carries serious racing pedigree — the hull form is optimised for upwind pace and downwind surfing, while the interior fit-out reflects the brand's decades of production excellence. Deck layout is purposeful and intuitive: clean sightlines, well-positioned winches, and a racing cockpit that rewards both short-handed sailing and a full crew. At 14 metres and with a draft pushing past two metres, this boat is genuinely fast in a breeze and stable enough to inspire confidence offshore.
Currently berthed in Auckland, this is one of the newest and most competitive performance yachts on the New Zealand market. With a price reduction already in place at NZD $895,000, motivated buyers should move quickly — opportunities like this don't sit around.
