She was one of the big trade fair sensations at Boot in Düsseldorf. No wonder there were always long queues of onlookers in front of the Beneteau stand in Hall 16. Everyone wanted to see the new "planing cruiser" from Beneteau, many had to wait. And some fell in love immediately. Around 20 purchase contracts for the First 30 were signed on site during the trade fair on the Rhine alone, 50 boats had already been sold beforehand and further orders have been placed since then. Production in Slovenia is fully booked until further notice - a great success for Beneteau and the manufacturer Seascape.
The new boat from the industry leader doesn't really fit into any particular category. Performance cruiser, sports boat, family coach or regatta yacht - the First 30 has a bit of everything. This is why Beneteau has created its own name for the range of sporty yachts in the First series under 40 feet hull length: "Planing Cruiser", the planing touring boat. This also includes the types First 36 and First 24.
Active sailing and early gliding
And indeed: in the yacht test off Portoroz on the short stretch of Slovenian coastline on the Adriatic, the First 30 provides unquestionable proof of its high performance potential. In winds of initially eight and later up to twelve knots, the boat impresses on all courses with sporty and lively, but at the same time highly controllable sailing characteristics. With the large top gennaker, the small cruiser almost reaches the ten-knot mark at times and shows the first signs of planing at this speed. The design by Sam Manuard and Lorenzo Argento, with its rather full bow section and flat stern, is designed for early planing. This is why the boat also bears the new, self-confident designation "planing cruiser".
The sporty package has further surprises in store below deck. The first impression of space in the saloon suggests that you are on a much larger boat. This is surprising, as the First 30 is comparatively slim with a length of just 9.35 metres and a width of only 2.99 metres. Although the outfitting standard is kept simple and specifically designed to minimise weight, it still offers a high level of comfort for living and sleeping. Five to a maximum of six people can sleep below deck, and with a separate wet room and a comparatively large L-shaped galley, all the necessary equipment is available for an unrestricted sailing holiday with the family.
100,000 euros for the basic package
When the project was announced in September last year, Beneteau emphasised that it did not want to go above 100,000 euros. The shipyard is still able to honour this ambitious promise. The boat, which is comprehensively equipped to a very high standard, will cost 119,000 euros including 19% VAT, which is a very interesting purchase price even when compared with the potential competition. On top of this, however, there is at least 5,500 euros for a simple set of Dacron sails. The better performance wardrobe with laminate sails is available for a surcharge of around €8,500 and a gennaker or Code Zero is available from around €4,500. And: Beneteau also offers well-coordinated equipment packages, depending on whether you want to use the boat as a sporty club racer or a cosy weekender.
The detailed test report of the Beneteau First 30 will be published in YACHT, issue 11, which will be available from mid-May 2025.
Technical data Beneteau First 30
- CE design category: A2/B6
- Hull length: 9.35 m
- Total length: 10.33 m
- Waterline length: 8.75 m
- Width: 2.99 m
- Draught standard deep keel: 1.98 m
- Draught flat keel: 1.65 m
- Mast height above WL: 14.70 m
- Weight: 3.15 tonnes
- Ballast/proportion (Std. keel): 1,07 t/34 %
- Mainsail: 28.2 m2
- Furling genoa: (106 %): 26.5 m2
- Engine: (Yanmar 2YM15): 10 kW/14 hp
- Optional machine: Kräutler electric motor / 5.0 kW power.
- Propulsion: Shaft drive with two-blade folding propeller
- Fuel tank: 40 litres (PVC)
- Fresh water tank: 100 litres (PVC)
- Holding tank: 50 litres (PVC)
