S/V Optimus Prime is a St. Thomas Yacht Club, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands based 2009 Beneteau First 40 For Sale By Broker. Responses to inquiries may come from a broker who is representing the owner as a fiduciary. This owner requires financial settlement only. No trades.
This Beneteau First 40 Optimus Prime is a Bruce Farr design built for performance under IRC while remaining comfortable for cruising. She carries the sought-after 8-foot deep T-keel and the tall fractional rig with a three-spreader tapered mast, giving her excellent upwind performance, light-air power, and balance when pressed offshore.
The Farr hull is moderate displacement with a fine entry and broad stern sections, paired with a balanced spade rudder for positive helm. The sail plan provides significant sail area with large symmetric spinnakers, making her quick and competitive around the cans or offshore.
On deck she has an open racing cockpit, efficient traveler and mainsheet systems, winches, and a layout that works for a full crew but is still manageable for shorter passages.
Below, the Nauta Design interior provides three cabins—two doubles aft and a forward owner’s cabin with its own head and shower—plus an L-shaped galley, nav station, and convertible saloon berths. She sleeps eight in comfort, making her suitable for race weeks or cruising.
Auxiliary power comes from a diesel engine, enough for reliable motoring in tight harbors or strong current. Systems are straightforward and serviceable, designed for both competition and delivery reliability.
This configuration—deep draft and tall rig—is the most desirable version of the First 40. It delivers stiff, high-pointing upwind performance, quick acceleration out of tacks, strong reaching and downwind legs with large A-sails, and a proven IRC/ORC race record. With her Farr pedigree, race-optimized rig and keel, and a proper cruising interior, Optimus Prime is a true dual-purpose yacht—equally at home winning regattas or cruising comfortably with family and friends. She is currently located in the Spanish Virgin Islands, but comes to the US Virgin Islands for races and maintenance several times a year.
Features
- New Rod rigging (2019)
- New Hydraulic backstay (2024)
- New folding prop (2025)
Specifications
| Name | S/V Optimus Prime |
| Make | Beneteau |
| Model | First 40 |
| Year | 2009 |
| Type | Monohull Sailboat |
| Builder | Beneteau |
| Designer | Bruce Farr; interior: Nauta Design |
| Construction | Fiberglass |
| Cabins | 3 |
| Heads | 3 |
| Galley | Port (L-shaped) |
Dimensions
| Loa | 40ft 2in / 12.24m |
| Lwl | 35ft / 10.67m |
| Beam | 12ft 8in / 3.86m |
| Draft | 8ft 0in / 2.44m |
| Mast Height | 62ft 0in |
Tankage
| Fuel Tanks | 136.27 liters |
| Water Tanks | 196.84 liters |
| Holding Tanks | 75.71 |
Performance
| Engines | 40HP Yanmar 3JH4E 2009 |
| Engine Hours | 800.00 |
| Displacement | 16614 lbs |
| Sails | North full-batten mainsail (3-reef), 105% North roller jib, medium and heavy spinnakers, storm mainsail, storm jib |
Layout Diagram

Inventory
Vessel Summary
- Beneteau First 40 "Optimus Prime"
- Designer: Bruce Farr
- Deep T-keel, 8 ft draft
- Tall fractional rig with three-spreader tapered mast (triple spreader tall rig)
- Sail area: main and working sails just over 1,050 sq ft; symmetric spinnakers over 1,300 sq ft
- Moderate displacement Farr hull with fine entry and broad stern sections
- Balanced spade rudder for positive helm
- Open racing cockpit with efficient traveler and mainsheet systems
- Harken winches
- Nauta Design interior; dual-purpose race-optimized rig and cruising interior
- Sleeps 8 (3 cabins + convertible saloon berths)
- Location: Spanish Virgin Islands (visits US Virgin Islands for races/maintenance)
Accommodation
- (2) Large cabins to port and starboard of companionway with queen beds and large storage area with hanging locker
- Spacious double V-berth forward with dedicated head and shower
- Main salon with large settees on either side of dining table; convertible berths for additional sleeping
- Chart table and navigation center to starboard
- Light oak interior with off-white leatherette upholstery
- (8) LED overhead lights
Interior Comforts and Amenities
- Refrigerator with small freezer (12V)
- 2-burner propane stove top with oven
- Propane shut-off valve
- Fresh and salt water sinks (double stainless steel sinks in galley)
- Beneteau plates and bowls
- BBQ
- (2) Propane tanks
- Water heater
- Fume detector
- Open concept galley to port (L-shaped)
Electronics and Navigation
- Raymarine chartplotters with three Raymarine ST60+ multifunction displays mounted on the mast and an additional ST60+ display at the helm
- Raymarine VHF radio at the chart table
- Icom handheld VHF (backup)
- Fusion stereo system at the chart table
- Contest Plasimo compass in the cockpit
- Xantrex Freedom X system monitor located at the chart table
- Navigation lights installed
- McMurdo SmartFind AIS-equipped EPIRB onboard
Electrical Systems
- (3) Full River DC 115-31 115Ah AGM house batteries (2024)
- (1) Full Throttle engine battery (2024)
- Dolphin 120/240 charger
- 1000W inverter
Deck and Hull Equipment
- Quick DP3 windlass
- One plow anchor 45 lbs with 60 ft 3/8" chain and 160 ft 3/4" rope
- (1) Danforth anchor 35 lbs with 45 ft chain and 120 ft 5/8" rope
- 12-person hard shell life-raft
- (10) Lifejackets/harnesses with connection cord
- New cockpit cushions
- Fenders
- Dock lines
- Over-the-boom awning
- Swim ladder
- Fresh water rinse handheld shower at swim platform
- USCG safety package
- Throw ring
Sails and Rigging
- North full-batten mainsail, 3-reef
- 105% North roller jib
- Medium and heavy spinnakers
- Carbon fiber spinnaker pole
- Triple spreader tall rig
- Rod rigging (2019)
- Hydraulic backstay (plus spare hydraulic backstay new)
- Storm mainsail and storm jib
- (4) Winch handles
- Lots of tools and engine spares
Mechanical Equipment
- Shore power cord
- Windlass (deck-mounted)
- Battery charger/charger system
- Dual electric bilge pumps plus manual bilge pump
- (2) AB fire extinguishers
- Engine area blower
- New folding prop (Dec 2024)
- Water pressure pump with dual tanks
- Refrigerator with small freezer (aft/galley)
- Emergency tiller
- Spare rudder quadrant
- Spare hydraulic backstay (new)
Engine Info
- Yanmar 3JH4E, 40 hp diesel, shaft drive
- Engine hours: approximately 800 hrs (as reported by owner)
Tankage
- Water tanks: 52 gallons
- Fuel tank: 36 gallons
- Holding tank: 20 gallons
Owners Comments and Boat History
- Good solid boat to finish into a fast cruiser or return to racing
- Needs new race sails
- Boat started as a racer in Antigua; later used as a family cruiser around the Caribbean
- Strong engine with only ~800 hrs
- All new rudder bearings (Dec 2024)
- Bottom paint (Dec 2024)
- New water pump (Dec 2024)
- No accidents reported
- New thermostat (2024)
- New engine impeller (2024)
- New alternator belt (2025)
- All new filters (2025)
- New sail drive seals, bearings and oil (Dec 2024)
Mechanical Disclaimer
- Engine and generator hours are as of the original listing and are reported by the owner or meter readings; broker cannot guarantee true hours
- Purchaser and/or agent are responsible to verify engine hours, warranties, major overhauls, and other representations
Disclaimer
- Company offers vessel details in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant accuracy or vessel condition
- Buyer should instruct agents or surveyors to validate details as desired
- Vessel offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice
Listing
- Listing MLS by Yachtr.com


















