Beneteau renews, expands First range

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Beneteau First 27

Beneteau together with Seascape has presented the First 14 dinghy and the First 24 and 27 sports cruisers as part of the seventh generation of the iconic sailing range introduced in 1977.

The French builder has also released a new product line, First SE (Seascape Edition), comprising the First 14 SE, 18 SE, 24 SE and 27 SE models. The First SE range builds on the legacy of Seascape boats and is designed to encourage one-design racing and adventure sailing.

Beneteau First 27

First models have always been designed for sailors who enjoy club racing as much as cruising, and the new models share the same hulls designed by Samuel Manuard as their SE cousins. Designed for novice sailors, the First 14 builds on the legacy of the Beneteau Wizz, with twin slots for the daggerboard allowing on-water transition from single-handed to double-handed mode.

The First 24 sleeps up to four people and features a completely retractable keel, aluminium rig, classic backstay and Dacron sails. The First 27 also has an aluminium rig, classic backstay and Dacron sails, but otherwise has an inboard Yanmar engine, six berths, galley and fridge, a 1.7m lead fixed keel and twin rudders.

Beneteau First SE 27

The Seascape editions offer an extra level of performance through more high-tech materials and additional sail area. In the First 14 SE, the mast, boom and bowsprit are made of carbon-fibre, while upwind sails are made of laminate cloth.

Beneteau First SE 24 one-design racing

The First 18 SE has a snuffer system, furling jib and carbon mast without backstays, a small double cabin, fully retractable swinging keel and removable rudder blades. Compared to the First 24 and 27, the SE editions have a carbon rig without backstay.