Beneteau has launched a new model, the First 30, that it also sees as the first in a new category of sailboats: the planing cruiser.
The builder’s thinking is that until the turn of the century, small racer-cruisers matched sailors’ needs. Today, the racer-cruiser is outdated, since people want to spend more time connecting with nature and having fun with family and friends.
“We realized that sailors needed more than a traditional racer-cruiser,” says Andraz Mihelin, the CEO of Seascape, which worked with Beneteau on the project. “We have decided to create a new, groundbreaking category of sailboats: the planing cruiser.”
According to Beneteau, the First 30 planes quickly and easily while being easy to handle, including 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,” according to Beneteau.
The First 30 has headroom of 6 feet in the saloon, a galley with a gimbaled stove and fridge, a marine head and two staterooms (forward and aft).
Sustainable materials used in the boat’s construction include cork flooring, and there are innovations such as magnetic doors and ambient lighting.
Owners can choose Beneteau’s “premium pack,” which adds high-quality upholstery, a cutting board, a choice of inner liner colors and materials, and atmospheric lighting.
Two deck layout options are available: one for day sailors and cruisers, and one for racers. Both layouts include features such as backrests and toe rails. In the cruising layout, the main and jib sheets are controlled through what Beneteau calls “generously sized winches,” so sail trim doesn’t require undue physical strength. Control lines are within reach, even when the boat is heeled, and the cockpit sole remains uncluttered.
The racing layout adds a mainsail traveler and additional trim controls.
Where will the Beneteau First 30 make its debut? At Boot Dusseldorf in January 2025. The base price is expected to be about $112,000.
How to learn more: visit beneteau.com.
