Please select your home edition
Edition
Craftinsure 2023 LEADERBOARD

The new Beneteau First 30: Effortless joy of planing for everyone

by Beneteau 17 Sep 2024 04:41 BST
Beneteau First 30 © Groupe Beneteau

Few things can beat the rush one gets when a sailboat starts planing—that exhilarating moment of 'lift off' when the boat breaks free from the chains of displacement speed.

That's what sailors expect today. As of now, it took a great level of sailing skills - until now, that is!

Introducing a new category: the planing cruiser

"Until the turn of the century, small racer-cruisers perfectly matched the needs of sailors. But times have changed: How we work and spend our leisure time is very different today, and the racer-cruiser has been pushed to the fringe of sailing. Sailing today is less about racing and more about connecting with nature and having fun with people you care about." explains Andraz Mihelin, Seascape CEO.

So, what does that mean for the development of new sailboats? "We realised that sailors needed more than a traditional racer-cruiser. We have decided to create a new, groundbreaking category of sailboats: the planing cruiser" adds Andraz Mihelin.

With its wide expertise and heritage, BENETEAU launches "The planing cruiser". It redefines small-boat sailing by combining outstanding performance with unparalleled ease of use while offering the comfort of a fully equipped cruiser.

The rebirth of a legend

With the all-new First 30, BENETEAU is making the new planing cruiser category a highly accessible reality.

Designing a new First 30 would be a challenge at any time. After all, 30 is a legendary number in the First range, even more so with BENETEAU 140-year anniversary. So once again, BENETEAU and Seascape joined forces and brought together a tried-and-tested team of world-class designers and engineers.

Designed around the needs of today's sailors, it is an exhilarating boat that is quick and easy to get planing, yet astonishingly easy to handle even when sailing at double-digit speeds. With low loads, a simple rig and an uncluttered cockpit, it doesn't need a large crew or intense training sessions to make sailing it fun and safe in all conditions - both shorthanded and as a family.

Below the deck, a distinctive, puristic, yet cosy interior creates spacious accommodation for four in two cabins.

Thanks to a high level of engineering, BENETEAU managed to offer an incredible base price of 100.000 EUR excl. VAT. With flexible financial options, the all-new First 30 is making the thrill of planing accessible to a wide range of sailors in more than one way.

Inside, a new style of cosy

The First 30 offers everything one just needs: a comfortable saloon with 1.85 m (6.0 ft) headroom, a proper, functional galley with gimballed stove and fridge, a marine head, above the standard sized front cabin and a decently sized aft cabin with removable storage elements sufficient for a week's cruising. As one would expect from a true BENETEAU, the interior design combines sustainable materials, such as cork flooring, innovative solutions like magnetic doors or smart storage solutions, and ambient lighting for a cosy feeling.

The interior's functionality and style can be further enhanced with an optional 'premium pack' that includes high-quality upholstery, a saloon backrest, a cutting board, a choice of inner liner colours and materials, and atmospheric lighting.

High-performance chill-out area

The deck and cockpit layout has been designed with two main goals in mind: reducing clutter to create a big and comfortable chill-out area while still providing outstanding sailing ergonomics. There are two deck layout options available: one for day sailors and cruisers and one for racers. Both cockpit layouts share generous cockpit dimensions with precisely designed features like backrests and toerails. In the cruising layout, both the main and jib sheets are controlled through generously sized winches, so sail trim doesn't require undue physical strength. Control lines are always within easy reach, even when the boat is heeled, and the cockpit floor remains completely uncluttered. The racing layout adds a mainsail traveller and some additional trim controls to create a familiar workspace for racing sailors.

Launching a new reference

The new Beneteau First 30 offers an unparalleled package of exhilarating speed, easy handling and cruising comfort at an extremely competitive price - a unique combination of qualities befitting the modern successor to the legendary 1977 First 30.

To be discovered in January 2025 at Boot Dusseldorf.

Provisional specifications:

  • Length overall: 10.33 m / 33' 11"
  • Hull length: 9.35 m / 30' 8"
  • Beam width: 2.95 m / 12' 10"
  • Light displacement (MLC): 3150 kg / 6945 lbs
  • Standard ballast: 1070 kg / 2360 lbs
  • Standard draft: 1,98 m / 6' 6"
  • Shallow keel: TBA
  • Air draft: 14.7 m / 48' 3"
  • Engine power (shaft drive): 14 HP
  • Fuel capacity: 50 L / 13.2 US Gal
  • Fresh water capacity: 120 L / 31.7 US Gal
  • Mainsail: 28.2 m2 / 304 ft2
  • Jib: 29.8 m2 / 321 ft2
  • Masthead gennaker: 98 m2 / 1055 ft2
  • Fractional gennaker: 86 m2 / 926 ft2
  • EC Certification: A2 / B6
  • Naval architect: Samuel MANUARD
  • Design: Lorenzo ARGENTO
  • Structural Engineering: Pure Design & Engineering
  • Interior design: Sito
  • Concept and R&D: BENETEAU & Seascape

Recommended retail price in standard configuration: 100.000 € excl. VAT

Related Articles

Groupe Beneteau - 2024 full year results
Acceleration of the product plan: 66 models in three years "Groupe Beneteau's teams once again showed their outstanding ability to adapt, faced with the significant changes on the boat markets in 2024. The efforts made by all our employees enabled the Group to achieve over one billion euros of sales for the year" Posted on 21 Mar
Ancasta's pre-season offers on premium brands
Ancasta has a comprehensive range of power boats and yachts from the world's leading manufacturers. The sun is out, it's time to get out on the water. And with Ancasta's unmissable pre-season offers you could be getting under way without delay. Posted on 6 Mar
Industrial Alliance unveils circular model
A sustainable future for composite manufacturing Industry leaders have joined forces to revolutionize boat manufacturing with a circular economy model, so that boats can now be built using recycled materials. Posted on 5 Mar
Ancasta's exclusive Spring Boat Show
This boutique event offers serious buyers the chance to explore a handpicked selection. With the 2025 boating season approaching, Ancasta is hosting an exclusive Spring Boat Show at Port Hamble Marina from 9 - 12 April. Posted on 26 Feb
Beneteau makes waves at 2025 Boot Düsseldorf
A fleet of 18 models were presented at the world's biggest indoor show At this year's Boot Dusseldorf, which took place from January 18th to 26th, the Beneteau team gave each visitor a warm welcome at their stands where they could enjoy an exclusive tour of the models. Posted on 28 Jan
Dusseldorf Boat Show Open Until Sunday!
Join Ancasta at the world's largest indoor boat show We are excited to invite you to join us in Dusseldorf at the world's largest indoor boat show. The show is in full swing and open until Sunday. Posted on 23 Jan
2024 Sydney Hobart – Forever Hobart
This tree stump sits at the shore of a dam, and as I pass it, I am reminded of the annual event My very own Organ Pipes. This tree stump sits at the shore of a dam, and as I pass it often several times a day, I am reminded of the annual event and what it means to so many, all around the world. Posted on 31 Dec 2024
Let Ancasta help you plan your boating next year!
Just Three Weeks Until Dusseldorf Boat Show We are excited to invite you to join us in Dusseldorf at the world's largest indoor boat show. The doors open in just three weeks so if you are interested in yachts and have not visited the show in the past, we would highly recommend that you visit. Posted on 30 Dec 2024
2024 Sydney Hobart – Doors open!
Breeze from Hobart to Tasman Island. If you're in the area, do drop in! all the way from Tasman Island to Ye Olde Hobart Town. This is a good thing, as there is a queue of vessels keen to get in after the blow... Posted on 29 Dec 2024
2024 Sydney Hobart – Mini Maxi
The year of the mini maxi for the overall win under the IRC measurement rule It was back in The Traditional Hobart that we pondered if 2024 was indeed going to be the year of the mini maxi. Well, it is. Celestial V70 will be the overall champion under IRC, and by definition, also Div0. Posted on 28 Dec 2024