Beneteau has collaborated with Seascape in Slovenia to launch the First 36 SE planing racer. Samuel Manuard, who handled the naval architecture of the First 36, collaborated with Bernard Nivelt to evolve the platform into what Beneteau has described as “a thoroughbred IRC racer”.

To ensure optimal performance under ORC, Maurizio Cossutti was brought in to add his extensive rating-rule expertise into the mix. Despite reducing displacement by 400kg compared to the standard First 36, the First 36 SE test ORC certificate shows an improved APH of around 520 fully crewed, or APH around 530 for double-handed teams.

New Zealand’s Pure Design & Engineering – which has worked on America’s Cup yachts – oversaw structural engineering, Sito studio worked on interiors, while the yacht retained much of Lorenzo Argento’s exterior design.

As well as a lower displacement, a new bow knuckle design was introduced to shorten the waterline and decrease the wetted surface by as much as 3sqm for improved acceleration and higher speeds.

The designers refined the cockpit ergonomics by replacing twin helms with a responsive tiller, while features include flush racing valves, an e-bar to fine-tune tiller angle adjustment, plus a carbon rig to further enhance performance. Soft foam deck grip has also been added throughout the cockpit.

“I can confidently say First 36SE is a racing boat,” Manuard said following test sails. “You really feel the 10 per cent less displacement compared to the First 36.”

The renowned designer also described the boat as “very responsive to the helm” with an “excellent” steering position and ergonomics. “You can spend hours racing and you won’t feel destroyed afterwards, which says a lot,” he said. “She will be pretty efficient in double-handed racing as well as fully crewed racing, because you have room to manoeuvre and accommodate the whole team.”

Lorenzo Argento, the exterior designer who has sailed over 6,000nm on his own First 36, was also among those to test the SE version. “The wind was shifting, but I was truly surprised by the acceleration and the level of control. The tiller gives you a much closer, more direct feel,” Argento stated.

“The SE version is lighter, cleaner and designed to fully unleash the boat’s planing potential, which you can really feel. Personally, I’d still choose the cruising version because it suits my needs better, but if I had ambitions in racing, I would go with this one.”

Inside, the cruising amenities of the First 36 model – including two cabins and a day head – are present, but the overall design has been enhanced with a more lightweight execution for the SE edition.

Andraž Mihelin, Seascape’s CEO, concluded: “The First 36 SE was designed to provide an unparalleled connection to the ancient art of sailing. Every element has been fine-tuned to transform wind into pure sailing joy, and after sailing her, this is precisely what she does.

“Compared to the First 36, she is more responsive, more precise, reacts quicker in light sticky conditions, and starts planing in as little as 12 knots true wind speed. I’m now convinced she is arguably the fastest and most fun 36ft production boat on the market.”

beneteau.com

asiamarine.com