The First 317 Beneteau is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 28.9′, the First 317 Beneteau tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.9′ LWL = 7.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
17.6
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
27.3%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
153
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
18.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.10
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
18.6
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.10
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the First 317 Beneteau sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Sydney 32
81s/nm
Catalina 315
167s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
6.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (17.6), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the First 317 Beneteau — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the First 317 Beneteau.
|
First 317 Beneteau |
Catalina 315 |
Hansson 31 |
J97 |
Sun Odyssey 32 Jeanneau |
Sydney 32 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
31.5 |
31.5 |
31.5 |
31.5 |
31.5 |
31.7 |
| LWL |
28.9 |
27.0 |
28.9 |
26.6 |
28.0 |
28.0 |
| Beam |
10.6 |
11.1 |
9.2 |
11.0 |
10.8 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
8 |
10 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
6 |
| Ballast |
2 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
447 |
468 |
460 |
498 |
484 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
167 |
— |
— |
— |
81 |
| SA/Disp |
17.6 |
16.1 |
20.1 |
19.0 |
17.3 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
27.3 |
40.0 |
39.1 |
— |
26.3 |
34.8 |
| Comfort |
18.6 |
22.0 |
19.2 |
19.4 |
21.0 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.10 |
2.06 |
1.92 |
2.15 |
2.05 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
7.0 |
7.2 |
6.9 |
7.1 |
— |