Description
Huge specification 2024 First 44 with furler boom, North NPL Tour sails, Garmin instrument package and almost every option ticked and presented in fantastic ready-to-go condition.
FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:
Lightly-used and presented for sale in fantastic condition, RIBELLE is a privately used example of the new-generation Biscontini Yacht Design / Lorenzo Argento Beneteau First 44 performance cruising yacht. Configured for effortless single or twin-handed sailing under sail, RIBELLE benefits almost all available equipment packages plus a substantial array of further options including:-
• Luxe Trim level
• Garmin Offshore instrument pack
• Self-tacking jib rigging package
• North Sails Aluminium Mast Sails Pack
• Downwind Pack
• Mooring pack
Her main specification highlights include:-
• 3-cabin, 2-heads interior layout finished in Alpi teak
• Converting saloon seating/table to create further occasional double berth
• Pearl grey topsides
• Low maintenance non-slip side decks, with teak deck cockpit sole and bathing platform
• 2.15m draft keel and twin rudders
• Yanmar 57hp engine with saildrive and 3-bladed folding propeller
• Retractable bow thruster
• Aluminium mast with Fuler Boom in-boom furling system
• Self-tacking jib track and longitudinal tracks
• Sub-deck genoa furler
• North Sails Tour NPL mainsail and genoa
• North Sails Code 0 with Facnor furler
• Upgraded Harken winch package with electric halyard winch and larger primary winches
• Harken deck gear
• Electrically operated bathing platform giving access to tender garage with 2.10m inflatable tender and electric outboard
• Garmin instrument package with 3x 12” chart plotters, mast-repeaters AIS transceiver, autopilot and all-round sonar transducer
• Starlink Mini antenna
• Upgraded 400Ah AGM service battery bank
• Victron inverter
• Reverse-cycle air-conditioning with 24,000 BTU output
• Dock water inlet
• Chain counter for anchor windlass
• Seanapps remote smartphone-connected system monitoring for battery charge, fuel and water tank levels, and maintenance scheduling
2025 UPGRADES:
• 3x Garmin GNX 10 mast foot instruments
• Victron Energy 1200W inverter with additional 230vDC outlet at chart table
• 3x EcoFlow 100Wp solar panels with Victron Energy solar charger
• Eurovinyl tender 210, fits fully inflated in garage
• ePropulsion SPIRIT 1.0 EVO electric outboard with 230V and 12V chargers
• Starlink Mini antenna with Teltonika WiFi router
• 65W USB A & C charger at chart table
Offered for sale exclusive of EU VAT, RIBELLE is a great option for non-EU and EU-based buyers alike. RIBELLE presently sails under a Jersey flag.
MANUFACTURER’S COMMENTS:
This lovely sailing yacht, with a remarkable design, is today the natural link between the First 36 and First 53. It combines performance, elegance and comfort thanks to the quality of its equipment, which offers unequalled sailing pleasure.
With the new First 44, BENETEAU draws to the noblest expression of the term “racer/cruiser”: an elegant and comfortable yacht that provides unequaled pleasure under sail. The generous sail plan allows the First 44 to be lively and efficient in all conditions.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
On board the First 44, the cockpit is very convivial with a lovely cockpit table as well as its fluidity with a level access to the large clear gangways. Four winches, a fixed centerline block for the mainsheet and a mast that is set further aft all maximize the potential of her modern sailplan, defined by a slender mainsail and generously sized foresails. Two 350-litre ballast tanks, which can be activated electrically from the helm consoles, make it possible to maintain the boat's full potential.
True to the scientific approach he inherited from the America's Cup, Roberto Biscontini has carried out numerous simulations and iterations to produce a powerful, well-balanced hull. Combined with a generous sail plan, this means that the First 44 is lively and efficient in all conditions.
INTERIOR DESIGN
The First 44 offers a streamlined interior layout that is modern and luminous, with a blend of white lacquered surfaces, moulded woods and tasteful upholsteries.
With three cabins and two heads, the interior is designed with quality finishes and materials to create a refined atmosphere.
In the saloon, the transverse table seats up to six people and faces the sofa and navigation station; its position in relation to the mast facilitates circulation between the galley and the owner's cabin, enhancing the feeling of space.
PRESS REVIEW:
With variants suited to racing as well as cruising, the Beneteau First 44 is a superbly competent boat of two halves…
I had admired the lines of the Beneteau First 44 earlier in the season when testing the Beneteau Oceanis 37.1, and had also seen the boat at her first public appearance, albeit out of the water, at Boot Düsseldorf, 18 months earlier. Any sailor, whether cruiser or racer, will be well aware of just how popular the ‘First’ range as been for Beneteau. The promise of modern design, sprightly performance and a sensible price tag have had an enduring and widespread appeal since Beneteau’s First 30 appeared in 1977…
The interesting thing about the Beneteau First 44 is that it is something of a chameleon. At first glance, it has the high topsides, wide stern and twin rudders that define the current crop of high volume cruisers.
But this belies the subtleties added by Biscontini that may be more easily missed: an absence of hard hull chines often used to supercharge internal volume; a narrow waterline and more rounded canoe body to reduce wetted surface; a fine bow and pinched-in stern at the waterline all make for slippery light-air sailing as well as top end speed of a performance machine. But the real trick is just how differently this boat can be configured for either racing or cruising…
Going below, this boat feels refreshingly modern. Good use has been made of the space, and while the layout is not unconventional, choices such as the fore and aft dinette in place of a C-shaped saloon seating to port, and moving the galley sink from central worktop to aft of the oven felt noticeably different.
VERDICT
This is a proper sailing boat with the potential for fast, exciting racing. It is also a refined cruising boat with the manners for quick but comfortable passage making... Quality overall is good and the finish is well executed…
Yachting Monthly – April 2025
Specification
CONSTRUCTION
RCD Status:
• It is our understanding that the yacht conforms with the essential safety requirements of Directive 94/25EC (Recreational Craft Directive) and is categorised A — "Ocean" for up to 12 persons.
Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:
• Balsa sandwich infusion hull
• Vacuum infused structural inner liner (Fabrics - resin) bonded to the hull
• Pearl Grey topsides finish
• GRP sandwich, PET foam, balsa wood infusion deck, with diamond pattern non-slip coating
• Teak deck laid cockpit seating, cockpit sole and bathing platform
• GRP 1.00m bowsprit
• 6x hull portholes
• Anti-fouling and PropSpeed - March 2026
Keel & Rudder:
• 2.15m draft cast iron keel attached with bolts and bonded stainless steel backplate
• Twin rudders hung with stainless steel stock
MACHINERY
Engine & gearbox:
• Yanmar 4JH57 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated common rail diesel engine producing 57hp (43kw) @ 3,000 rpm
• Yanmar SD60 saildrive gearbox
• Fresh water engine cooling via raw water intake and heat exchanger
• Soundproof engine room
• Fuel/water separators
• Extraction fan
• Electronic gear/throttle control at the starboard helm station
Maintenance & Performance:
• Engine hours: approximately 497 engine hours at the time of the listing
• Engine serviced annually – last service as of 2.2026
Propulsion & Steering:
• 3-bladed folding propeller
• Sleipner 12vDC retractable bowthruster with remote control at starboard helm
• Twin white composite helm (diameter 900 mm/2’11’’) helm wheels fixed on white lacquered aluminum pedestals with stainless steel chain transmission
• Emergency steering gear
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Voltage systems:
• 12vDC primary domestic system with 220vAC via inverter or shorepower
• Seanapps remote smartphone-connected system monitoring for battery charge, fuel and water tank levels, and maintenance scheduling
Battery Banks:
• 4x 100Ah 12vDC AGM service batteries joined in parallel to supply 400Ah @ 12vDC
• 1x 50Ah engine start battery
• Dedicated bowthruster battery bank with 4x 50Ah batteries joined in parallel and series to supply 24vDC
• Electric battery switch (connected to the Ship Control, controls powering on or shut-off of batteries remotely)
Battery Charger:
• 40Ah automatic battery charger
Inverter:
• Victron Energy 1,200w inverter with Pheonix inverter control panel and dedicated 220vAC outlet at chart table – 2025
Alternator:
• 1x 125Ah 12vDC engine-mounted alternator
Shorepower:
• 220vAC 50Hz 32A shore power system
• Ring-main with 220vAC sockets throughout yacht
Solar:
• 3x EcoFlow 100w solar panels with MPPT charge controller - 2025
Other Electrical:
• 12vDC electrical panel (Breaker, Voltmeter, Water gauge, Fuel gauge, Battery warning, Fuel warning, Water warning) with dual USB port and Navicolor 3.5’’ screen
• 65w USB A & C charger at chart table – 2025
• Induction charging station for smartphones at the chart table
• USB charging sockets in all accommodation cabins
PLUMBING & GAS SYSTEMS
Fresh Water:
• 12vDC pressure system pump for fresh water supply
• Dock freshwater inlet
• Hot water supplied via engine cooling with calorifier or via 220vAC immersion heater element from shore power in well-insulated 40 litre 220vAC hot water tank
• Hot & cold pressurised water to galley, heads and shower in cockpit
Salt Water:
• Seawater electric pump in galley
Bilge Pumps:
• Bilge pump override switch at AC/DC panel
• 12vDC electric bilge pump
• Manual bilge pump in cockpit
Black & Grey Water:
• Black water discharge directly to the sea or into a black water tanks
• Grey water discharges to sea
Gas System::
• Gas locker for 2x gas bottles in the cockpit sole
• Regulator and safety tap
• Gas leak detector
TANKAGE
Fuel:
• 200 litres fuel capacity in 1x rotomoulded diesel tank located beneath port aft berth
• Electronic gauge
• Low level alarm
• Deck filler
Fresh Water:
• 530 litres freshwater capacity in 1x 330 litre and 1x 200 litre rotomolded tanks
• Electronic gauge
• Deck fillers
Holding tanks:
• 2x 64 litre rigid black water holding tanks
NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT
On Deck:
• 2x Garmin MFD GPSMAP 1223 12” colour GRP chart plotters
• Garmin AIS 800 AIS transceiver
• 3x Garmin GNX-120 multi-repeaters at mast
• Garmin Panotix PS51-TH live all around sonar transducer
• Garmin Wind Sensor gWind Race - pole 1m / 3’3’’:Windvane, Anenometer
• Airmar DST810 Sensor (Log, Speedometer, Temperature)
• Garmin Reactor 40 Hydraulic Autopilot system with Garmin GHC 50 control head at port helm
• Plastimo steering compasses
At Chart Table:
• Garmin MFD GPSMAP 1223 12” colour GRP chart plotter
• Garmin Reactor wireless autopilot remote control
• Garmin GND10 Black Box Bridge
Communications Equipment:
• Garmin 315i VHF with DSC at chart table
• Starlink Mini antenna for satellite communications
DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT:
Galley:
• ENO 2-burner gas hob with oven and grill
• Vitrifrigo front and top opening 190 litre fridge
• Sink with pressurised hot & cold fresh water supplies
• Pressurised saltwater supply to galley sink
Heads:
• Tecma electric fresh/seawater flush heads in owner’s ensuite heads
• Quietflush electric fresh/seawater flush heads in starboard aft heads
• Hot & cold pressurised showers in all bathrooms with electric drain pumps
Heating & Ventilation:
• Dometic 220vAC reverse-cycle air-conditioning system with 24,000 BTU combined output and units for saloon, owner’s cabin and aft guest cabins
Entertainment
• Fusion RA210 Bluetooth stereo system with 2x interior loudspeakers & 2x waterproof exterior speakers in cockpit
Interior Lighting:
• LED interior lighting throughout including courtesy lighting
ACCOMODATION
Summary of Accommodation:
• Up to 8 berths in three double guest cabins including owner’s ensute cabin forward and occasional double berth in converting saloon seating/dining area
• Second guest bathroom
Accommodation Finish:
• Alpi teak woodwork and white lacquered wood on base units and bulkheads
• Alpikord teak flooring
• Lounge Greige 160 fabric interior upholstery
• Sprung mattress in owner’s cabin
• Beige padded ceilings (and Macadamia in the central part of the saloon)
• Corian Glacier White galley work top with moulded teak beading
• Corian Glacier White heads counters
• Opening deckhead hatches with mosquito screens/blinds
Accommodation Description from Forward:
Owner’s cabin:
• Headroom: 1,93m / 6’4’’
• Central double bed (2,04m x 1,12m - 1,60m)
• Padding along the hull and at headboard: Beige PVC
• Bed access sideboard
• Chair on each side of bed
• Hanger closet, with incorporated LED lighting
• Flexible and adjustable bedside lamps
Owner’s Cabin Ensuite Heads:
• Headroom: 1,92m / 6’4’’
• Shower with foldable perspex door
• Electric toilet with rigid holding tank
• Work top in Corian Glacier White
• Integrated polyester basin - Mixer tap
• Cabinet with mirror
Saloon:
• Headroom: 1,95m / 6’5’’
• Teak saloon table with fixed top seating up to 6 diners to port, electrically height-adjustable to create double berth with face to face benches with large storages under seat
• Comfortable sofa facing the saloon to starboard with storage under seating
Galley:
• L-shaped galley with Corian Glacier White work tops with moulded Apli teak beading
• Rectangular stainless steel sink
• 2-burner gimballed gas stove with storage below
• Storage unit with door and internal drawer for cutlery
• 190l refrigerator with top and front opening
• Fitted lockers and closed shelving
• Bin (20L)
• Opened compartment along the side of the hull
• Opening portlight
Chart Table:
• To starboard from the companionway
• Aft facing long chart table with fiddles, storage under the lifting top
• High cabinet with storage (or, in option, navigation screen)
• Adjustable reading light
Port & Starboard Aft Guest Cabins:
• Mirrored cabins
• Headroom: 1,94m / 6’4’’
• Double bed (2,04m x 1,38m / 6’8’’ x 4’6’’)
• Hanging locker,
• Cupboard with shelves, with incorporated LED lighting
• Top-opening storage in front of the wardrobe
• Opened compartment along the side of the hull
• Flexible and adjustable reading lights
Starboard Aft Guest Heads:
• Headroom: 1,93m / 6’4’’
• Access through saloon
• Shower separated with a perspex door –
• Work top in Corian Glacier White
• Electric toilet with holding tank
• Washbasin with mixer tap
• Cabinet and storage space under the basin
• Mirror
DECK EQUIPMENT
Rig:
• Sparcraft aluminium anodised mast
• Deck-stepped, fractionally-rigged with 2-sets of swept-back spreaders
• Stainless steel C-strand standing rigging
• Furlerboom furling boom and vang
• Harken hydraulic backstay adjuster
• Harken adjustable mainsheet traveller in cockpit
• Harken self-tacking jib track
• Harken towable cabin-top jib tracks
• Sub-deck genoa furler
• Facnor furler for Code 0
• Harken Black Magic blocks for spinnaker / code 0 sheets and tack led back to the dedicated cleat in the cockpit
• Dyneema halyard sheave with block for spinnaker or Code 0
• Barber hauler (chain plate on bulwark)
Winches:
• 2x Harken 60.2 STA manual 2-speed, self-tailing primary winches
• 1x Harken 46.2 STA manual 2-speed, self-tailing halyard/control line winch to port
• 1x Harken 50.2 STAE electric 2-speed, self-tailing halyard/control line winch to starboard
Sails:
• North Sails NPL Tour laminate fully-battened in-boom furling mainsail
• North Sails NPL Tour laminate self-tacking furling jib with UV cover
• North Sails XI06TF1 furling Code 0
General:
• Stainless steel pushpit, pulpit and guardwire stanchions with twin lifelines and side boarding gates
• Teak cockpit table on stainless steel pedestal with 2 extension leaves and opening central storage
• Electric opening transom, convertible to 2.32m x 0.67m bathing platform with folding access step to the cockpit to starboard
• Stainless steel removable bathing ladder (dedicated storage in starboard cockpit locker)
• Tender garage with LED light
• Self-draining cockpit
• 2x lockers below cockpit seating
• Access hatch to tender garage
• Gas locker in the bottom of the cockpit
• Foldaway helmsman foot chock
• Cockpit shower with mixer tap in the tender garage
• PPMA folding companionway door in the bottom of the cockpit -
• Sliding hatch made of PMMA
• Liferaft locker in front of the companionway
• Courtesy lighting (6 LED lighting points, warm white lighting)
• Outboard engine bracket
Covers, Cushions & Canvas:
• Coachroof spray hood in charcoal grey with stainless steel frame
• Cockpit bimini in charcoal grey with stainless steel frame
• Cockpit table cover
Anchoring & Mooring:
• Lewmar 12vDC 1,000w reversing vertical anchor windlass with remote control in anchor locker
• Windlass control in cockpit with chain counter
• 20kgs Delta anchor with 80+ metres of 10mm chain
• 6x anodised aluminium mooring cleats
• Fore and aft mooring lines
• Warps and fenders
Tender & Outboard:
• Eurovinyl 210 2.10m inflatable tender (fits fully inflated in tender garage) – 2025
• ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Evo electric outboard with 220vAC and 12vDC chargers - 2025
SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as liferafts, Epirbs, fire extinguishers and flares etc. are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on-board as part of the sale of a used vessel may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet a new owners specific needs.
Exterior Lighting:
• LED navigation lights
• LED spreader lights
Life Saving:
• 8 person liferaft
• MOB recovery sling
Viewing arrangements
Lying in Alicante, Spain
Available to view strictly by appointment
Office Hours Mon- Fri 0900 – 17.00
Saturday by prior appointment
For more information or to arrange a viewing please contact us.
Please Note: Due to the varying locations of our yachts, your travel time and the distances that may be involved, we recommend that you only make arrangements to view if you are actively considering purchase.
Lead Broker: Michele Antonini – Grabau International (Italia)
Tel: +39 333 74 89 281
Email: michele@grabauinternational.com
Grabau International offers the details of all vessels in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information or warranty the condition of any vessel and the details do not constitute a part of any contract. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. All vessels are offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice. Grabau International provides professional yacht conveyancing and legal transfer of title for all yachts as per the ABYA Code of Practice with all deposit payments and final balance payments processed through secure dedicated client accounts solely for that purpose. Our dedicated client accounts are written in trust at Natwest Bank and we are fully insured.
