Beneteau
First 40
The First 40 is one of Northern Europe's most recognisable production sailboats. Designed by Jeanneau / Beneteau and built from 1990 to 2005 — Beneteau First 40 performance cruiser. The model sits in the sweet spot for couples and small families cruising the Baltic, Skagerrak, and North Sea.
The First 40 is tracked by FairHelm on northern brokerage sites. Cross-shops Farr 40 on performance listings. Buyers cross-shop comparable LOA models before committing survey budget.
Nordic buyers should compare asking price against documented rigging, drivetrain, and keel work — cosmetic refreshes rarely replace deferred structural maintenance.
Annual ownership in Swedish marinas typically runs 85 000–220 000 kr for a cruiser of this size with realistic technical reserves.
FairHelm tracks First 40 listings because these hulls trade constantly on Blocket, Scanboat, and German brokerage sites. Buyers are rarely choosing between "good" and "bad" boats — they are choosing between documented maintenance and deferred work. A polished teak cockpit or new plotter does not cancel unknown rigging age, keel-bolt corrosion, or moisture at chainplates. That is why survey discipline matters more here than brand romance.
For Nordic ownership, First 40 works as a coastal weekender with occasional longer passages when equipped for cold-water sailing: reliable heating, solid ground tackle, and a realistic technical reserve beyond berth and insurance. Compare adjacent models in FairHelm's [model guides](/en/yachts/models/) and read survey notes before committing a deposit. The cheapest asking price on Blocket is rarely the cheapest boat to own over three seasons.
When you shortlist a First 40, build a simple survey scorecard: hull moisture, rigging age, drivetrain service, and chainplate integrity. Owner forums and yard quotes from Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Helsingør help you separate cosmetic refresh from structural deferral — especially on boats marketed as "ready to sail" without invoices.
LOA 12.2 m