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Beneteau unveils exciting new planing cruiser First 30
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Beneteau has just announced its intention to redefine small-boat sailing with the arrival of a new planing cruiser known as First 30. The French brand revealed news of the new model at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
Sleek lines look and feel good under sail – helping with aerodynamics
The First 30 is designed to bring the thrill of planing to sailors of all skill levels. It will be quick to start to plane and easy to handle, even when cruising at double-digit speeds, the brand has said. No need for a large crew or intense training sessions – this boat is all about making sailing as simple and fun as a day at the beach, whether sailing solo or with family.
Beneteau has once again teamed up with long-time First model collaborators, Slovenia-based manufacturers, Seascape, bringing together a world-class team of designers and engineers for the project.
While outstanding performance and extreme comfort were the primary focus so too was affordability. The First 30 will be available at a base price of 100,000 EUR (excluding VAT).
A sizeable cockpit makes handling all the easier
Comfort has not been forfeited. With a comfortable saloon with 1.85m headroom, a proper galley with a gimballed stove and fridge, smart storage solutions and ambient lighting for added cosiness, the First 30 intends to offer all the comfort of a fully-equipped cruiser.
Deck and cockpit layout will come in two themes: one for day sailors and cruisers, and another for racing enthusiasts. Both options will offer generous cockpit dimensions and precisely designed features like backrests and toe rails.
Main and jib sheets in the cruising layout will be controlled through generously sized winches, ensuring that sail trim doesn’t require superhuman strength — or a degree in rocket science. A mainsail traveller and some additional trim controls in the racing layout will feel familiar to racing sailors.
Interiors will include cork flooring for sustainability and some thoughtful inclusions like magnetic doors to make life easy at sea. An optional ‘premium pack’ will consist of high-quality upholstery, a saloon backrest, and atmospheric lighting, among other perks.
At (33ft, 11in) the new First 30 is designed for simplicity of use for experienced and novice sailors alike
With its blend of performance, comfort, and affordability, this 11.3m (33ft, 11in) two-cabin cruiser should attract a new slew of planing fans.
The First 30 is set to debut at Boot Dusseldorf in January 2025.
