The project has already been announced in YACHT, in issue 17/2021 and also at YACHT online. However, the project was still in the construction and development phase at the time, and the information provided exclusively to YACHT by Beneteau was correspondingly cautious. Now the market leader has published more details and images of the new boat. The timing is perfect - the new First 36 will be presented as a world premiere at the boot trade fair in Düsseldorf in January 2021.
Sporty and high-performance boat concepts now appear to be moving back into the focus of development work at the world's largest manufacturer of sailing boats. Following the revitalisation of the First range through the acquisition of the Seascape brand and the integration of its sports boats from 14 to 27 feet, Beneteau surprised everyone in 2019 with the launch of the large First 53 as the flagship and the top end of the sporty range. The new model, the First 36, is a true performance cruiser with a wide range of requirements and is intended to bridge the gap between the smaller sports boats and the large fast cruiser. Beneteau's definition of its latest project is quite broad, ranging from single or double-handed offshore racers and club racers to family boats and daysailers.
The design comes from Sam Manuard, who is known for his fast and extremely successful offshore racers for the Mini 6.50, Class 40 and Imoca 60 classes. Stylist Lorenzo Argento from Italy, who already helped design the large First 53, is responsible for the visual appearance. Incidentally, the new First is being built at the Seascape shipyard in Slovenia, known for its robust yet lightweight designs using the vacuum infusion process. The First 36 will weigh just 4.8 tonnes when ready to sail, with a ballast content of 33 percent in the 2.25 metre deep standard T-keel. This makes the ship quite light, even in comparison with potential competitors.
The boat will also be well loaded. The provisional specifications estimate a sail area of around 80 square metres on the wind, which corresponds to a sail load factor of 5.3 in relation to the total weight, which is quite high even for performance boats. A gennaker with a sail area of around 100 square metres on the long, permanently attached bowsprit is then set for the room and downwind courses. This is designed to get the boat planing easily and quickly, even in "moderate breezes", according to the Beneteau press release. A long traveller on the cockpit floor is available as standard for trimming the sails. The aluminium mast with two spreaders is adjusted via a backstay with a powerful sheet cascade and the genoa is brought into shape using efficient 3D lifting points on the cabin superstructure.
Exciting: The cockpit layout can be configured according to use. For the regatta, the aft, flexible elements of the dikes are simply left ashore, as is the cockpit table, which is also only attached. The comfort modules are then returned on board for touring sailing (see views in the picture gallery above). The layout of the fittings with primary and secondary sheet winches on both sides on and behind the coaming as well as two halyard winches on the companionway essentially corresponds to the tried and tested arrangement for performance cruisers. The designers have made sure that the sheet winches remain within reach of the helmsman for single or double-handed use. To this end, the steering columns and wheels have been positioned so that the helmsman can slide forwards more easily and thus move more freely.
The design below deck provides for a simple, no-frills interior. Here too, the engineers and designers have obviously focussed on maximising weight savings without losing sight of the demands of touring sailing with the family. Two double cabins are planned aft, which are spatially separated by a fairly wide technical channel. Another double cabin and a toilet room are located forward. Contrary to the general trend, a proper navigation system with a sufficiently large chart table will be installed in the First 36.
A new feature is the design of the galley with a free-standing furniture element in the centre of the boat with an integrated refrigerator compartment. An inlay shelf closes the gap to the actual galley and thus enlarges the work surface - an exciting layout.
Beneteau has now also announced a price for the market launch and the premiere in January at the trade fair in Düsseldorf. The price tag will be 198,000 euros, which corresponds to a gross amount of 235,600 euros including 19 per cent VAT. However, as is usual with performance cruisers, the sails will not yet be included in the price.
Downloads:
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
