FIRST 40.7 Sail Configuration Guide

Overview

The FIRST 40.7 is a benchmark racer-cruiser designed by Bruce Farr, blending a competitive hull form with functional accommodations. It targets the performance-oriented market, excelling in both offshore IRC/ORC racing and fast coastal cruising.

Rig Specifications & Performance Analysis

Analysis of the 40.7 rig dimensions reveals a versatile and powerful sail plan:

• Mainsail Configuration: A P/E ratio of 2.83 indicates a high-aspect ratio mainsail, optimized for efficient lift and superior upwind pointing.
• Foretriangle Design: The I/J ratio of 3.52 provides a large foretriangle height, accommodating high-overlap genoas for light air or powerful non-overlapping jibs for breeze.
• Sail Area: 76m² total upwind area provides a high power-to-displacement ratio.
• Performance: The Farr-designed hull and tall rig ensure the boat remains weatherly and competitive across a broad spectrum of wind ranges.

Popular Sail Configurations

Inventories on the FIRST 40.7 are typically tailored to the boat's primary use case:

• Mainsail: Full-battened for cruising durability or semi-fat-head configurations for racing optimization.
• Headsail: Most owners utilize a 135%–140% overlapping genoa for light air regions, while racing fleets prefer 105% non-overlapping headsails for easier handling.

Key Characteristics

• High-aspect 2.83 P/E ratio delivers exceptional aerodynamic efficiency upwind.
• Versatile 3.52 I/J ratio allows for a wide range of headsail sizes and configurations.
• 11.93m LOA and Farr hull design provide excellent stability and surfing potential off-wind.
• Responsive helm and balanced sail plan make it highly close-winded in flat water.

Sailing Considerations

Effective handling of the FIRST 40.7 requires an active mainsheet and traveler to manage the 41m² mainsail. In racing mode, a crew of 7-9 is ideal for rail weight to keep the boat flat. Performance expectations remain high in light-to-medium air, though the boat remains stiff and predictable as the breeze builds.

Sailmaking Recommendations

For the FIRST 40.7, we recommend SurgeX membrane sails as the optimal choice for most sailors. SurgeX uses continuous fiber construction where fibers are laid along load paths and embedded in a thin membrane, providing superior shape retention compared to traditional Dacron while being more affordable than premium carbon laminates. The continuous fiber structure means significantly less stretch over time, maintaining the designed sail shape for years.

For racing applications, specify a lightweight SurgeX configuration with minimal base weight to maximize acceleration and light-air performance. For cruising or bluewater sailing, add a taffeta protective layer on both sides to enhance UV resistance and abrasion protection against the spreaders. Based on the 2.83 P/E ratio, a load-path tri-radial layout works best to distribute stress from the head and clew. A typical inventory includes a performance mainsail, a versatile J2 headsail, and an S2 symmetric spinnaker. With 76m² of total upwind sail area, plan to take the first reef at approximately 18-20 knots of true wind.

Conclusion

The FIRST 40.7 remains a powerhouse in the racer-cruiser category due to its balanced Farr design and high-aspect rig. Explore sail options for FIRST 40.7 to maximize your boat's performance potential.