40 years of iconic brand heritage. The signature features of the FIRST range have not changed since its conception in 1977 – these boats have always been designed for sailors who enjoy club racing as much as cruising, joining them into one cohesive product line, the proverbial best of both worlds. Today, BENETEAU takes another step in this direction with the launch of the new FIRST range. These boats offer simplicity, performances, and comfortable interiors and cockpits geared towards daysailing and coastal cruising. Renewing the competition spirit of the brand, they represent a true adaptation to the needs and expectations of the widest variety of sailors.
With beautifully slender hulls and a style second to none, First yachts have always caught the eye of seasoned sailors. From the outset, they were designed to thrill keen regatta racers and demanding performance sailors and they epitomize the joy of sailing like no other boat. Boasting the most advanced engineering, their performance under sail is a gauge for winning races whatever the sailing grounds. But they are also ideal for cruising with family or friends and will make the thrill of travelling the seas a new passion. This mixed use and the sailing community’s satisfaction has led to the success of the line.
As soon as you cast off, you feel the thrill of sailing a First. All it takes is to hoist the sails and these fast cruisers give their best performance. Thanks to a taut hull that is specially designed to be light weight, the boat flies along in the slightest breeze. Look out for the puff that propels the First forward and enjoy its surfing potential at any speed.
The First sailing yachts are designed to make sailing easy and exciting, so that everyone can enjoy the sailing experience. They are reassuringly stable, even in a good breeze, and they are always safe and a pleasure to sail, no matter how big or small your crew is. Sail hoisting manoeuvres are fluid. Sailing is safe and effortless.
Similar to the IMOCA or Class40, the new First 36 and First 44 have their own legacy, built on considerable technical expertise. The FIRST yachts are designed and developed by a design team of architects, designers, engineers, our partner sailmakers, and mast and deck fitting manufacturers to optimise every detail and ensure that they all have the latest technology and expertise.
The first model in the line – the First 30 – was the boat used for three years by the Tour de France à la Voile, and many racers also chose it for the Course de l’Aurore (former Solitaire du Figaro) including Michel Malinosky, Eugène Riguidel and Bruno Peyron.
First sailing yachts are highly versatile and can be used for all sorts of programmes. They are ideal for a trip to sea to fine tune your boat and get out your code zero or asymmetric spinnaker with a crew that loves sailing whatever the weather.
They are perfect for a weekend, making the most of the First’s speed and setting sail for a distant anchorage.
They are great for a holiday, to enjoy the pleasure of coastal or ocean cruising in a well-equipped boat.
After 11 days at sea, the SV Lenny and her crew placed second in their class. The crew gave their feedback on the boat pre and post race.
In June 2023, a few days before SV Lenny started the 2023 Transpac, we spoke to the crew about the race, the boat and their connection to the legendary BENETEAU First boats.
Two legendary races, one Ocean, a new boat from a long successful line of great boats, and a remarkable crew who have sailed on major boat races around the world … BENETEAU’s First 44 is starting a Pacific adventure like no other before.
We would redesign the sail plan, keel, interior layout, and shape of the coachroof with André Mauric, and it would be called the First. Nobody was expecting this. We showed the First at the Paris Boat Show and it was a revelation. It would become a legendary class. This was the boat that would really open the way for export.
Annette Roux - 130 years of commitment to the sea (1980)
We would redesign the sail plan, keel, interior layout, and shape of the coachroof with André Mauric, and it would be called the First. Nobody was expecting this. We showed the First at the Paris Boat Show and it was a revelation. It would become a legendary class. This was the boat that would really open the way for export.
Annette Roux - 130 years of commitment to the sea (1980)
