Sailboat Bénéteau First 30 for sale

Planing for everyone: the First 30 makes fast sailing easy

Lightweight, suitable for sailing and can win regattas

When the new First 30 was unveiled at the end of 2024, it was a minor revolution. It seemed the Seascape team working alongside BENETEAU experts and what can only be described as an ""Avengers"" lineup of yacht designers, had finally found the golden formula - the combination of fast, active planing sailing with the simplicity of an easy-to-operate cruising yacht.

Until then, there was only ever one option. If you wanted to sail fast and perhaps even plane, you had to buy a relatively spartan and, above all, an uncomfortably stiff racing yacht. If, on the other hand, you wanted to enjoy a comfortable holdiday afloat with your partner and children, your choice was limited to cruising boats - without any guarantee they would plane. That, for certain, has now changed.

Caution when buying a used First 30 yacht. Do not confuse it with the Juan-K First 30!

Unusually, BENETEAU has not given the newly designed First 30 a unique name. This means there is a risk of confusing it with the First 30 designed in 2010 by the exceptionally talented Juan Kouyoumdjian (Juan-K for short), of which around 100 units were sold by 2015. At just under 3.8 tonnes, this boat weighs around 800 kilograms more than the new First 30 - which explains the commercial flop of the Juan-K 30s and the yacht's relative lack of success on the world’s regatta courses.

If you want to buy a used First 30, please check whether it is a current or the ""JK"" version. Both boats look very modern and have twin rudders, but if you look closely, you can easily spot the differences. Incidentally, the First 30 JK is not a bad boat per se: many owners have grown fond of their 30s and have even made them faster and more powerful by means of sometimes very elaborate measures. New keels have been built and fitted, furniture removed and so on. So when buying a used boat, pay attention to the year of construction, a First 30 built between 2011 and 2015 is the somewhat heavier sister of the new First 30, which this article is about.

A new category of sailing boat: planing cruisers

When the founders of Seascape in Slovenia, Andraž Mihelin and Kristian Hajnšek, established their small shipyard, they clearly and boldly wrote down what they thought a sailing boat should do. In essence, it should simply be fun! It shouldn’t be overly complex for the owner, it shouldn’t scare the helm and crew and it shouldn’t cost a fortune. At the same time, the boat should be able to sail fast at all times - ideally planing - and always be safe and as straightforward to handle as possible.

The very first Seascapes were built according to this principle. The First 18 SE (then Seascape 18) and the First 27 SE (then Seascape 27) immediately set new standards and are still in production today.

The planing mode, the state a boat reaches when it can 'escape' the trough of its own bow and stern waves and transitions into surf mode, is nothing special for Mihelin and Hajnšek. In their opinion, it should be the normal state of sailing; fast, both in light and strong winds. Surfing over the waves, achieving high daily distances means you either arrive faster or can sail further in the same amount of time. The First 30 was also designed according to this principle - and masters this requirement perfectly.

First 30 - cruising yacht and racing yacht

In addition to a high speed, which goes hand in hand with adrenaline and addictive fun for everyone on board, the boats from Mihelin and Hajnšek are suitable for cruising within the limits of their capabilities. This is why the BENETEAU First 30 is available with two cabins with four berths, a saloon, a fully equipped galley and a - surprisingly large - shower room with WC. If the small Firsts still fall into the 'micro-cruiser' category (which Seascape also played a key role in defining), the new First 30 with its 10 metres length is a fully fledged cruiser. Everything that a solo sailor, a couple or a family needs for a longer sailing trip is included on board, even storage space thanks to the large starboard locker which has a surprisingly large volume.

First 30 for sale - hull, construction, design and sail plan

Vinylester hull, vacuum infusion and only the 'good stuff'

Another hallmark of the First boats built by Seascape in Slovenia is the high build quality, which starts with the material used. There is no thick, hand-laid laminate with cheap polyester resin. Instead the builders have used the more expensive but far more resistant to osmosis vinylester which is bonded to high-quality rigid PVC foams (no balsa!) as a sandwich core in a complex vacuum infusion process. The result produces not only quality hulls, but also particularly thin - i.e. light - and rigid structures.

However, because BENETEAU (naturally) also has to orientate itself to the market and the requirements or needs of the buyers, the deck is manufactured with polyester (but this is also a vacuum infusion with a synthetic sandwich), a lesson learnt from the rather expensive smaller Firsts. The 10 metre market is highly competitive: more on this later.

In the end, the finished First 30 weighs just 3,040 kilograms, almost 800 kilograms less than its predecessor and she weighs over a tonne less than the Oceanis 30.1, her sister from the BENETEAU cruising segment. This is important because weight - in combination with sufficient sail area - is essential for a boat to be able to plane.

The beauty of renunciation

We mentioned the competitive 10-metre segment market. Here, the First 30 is part of an illustrious group: Pogo Structures has a proven planing yacht in its range with the Pogo 30 and the recently launched Pogo RC, which is set to shake up the racing segment. The French luxury manufacturer JPK is extremely popular in the 10 and 11 metre range, especially on the used boat market, while those who want something a little cheaper should take a look at the SunFast from Jeanneau and even 'our' Dehler 30 OD, although no longer under construction, has a large fan base, particularly in Germany and especially on the Baltic Sea. This boat certainly delivers!

In addition, there are smaller brands that also offer very interesting boats around 30 feet for sale. These include Saffier, the L30 (at home on Lake Constance) and the N’Fun. But what they all have in common, including the new First 30, is that they all eliminate unnecessary features.

Because to be fast, you have to leave elements out such as panelling, panels and trims (especially heavy wood). Similar to sports cars, attempts are being made to replace these elements with lightweight materials such as carbon fibre or alternatives such as mesh fabric. The First 30 is no different. Step below and you'll find a surprisingly chic interior. Thanks to the lessons learnt from its big sister and predecessor, the First 36, the First 30 benefits from striking accents and, above all, a thoughtful lighting concept that provides depth and a strong sense of design. This is an important aspect that sets this boat apart from its competitors. The First 30 is a surprisingly comfortable boat for sale.

Power under sail: the First 30 takes off!

Are you interested in sailing? Then the BENETEAU First 30 is the right choice for you. The boat comes as standard with a backstayless aluminium Z-Spars mast, with a lightweight carbon-fibre version offered as an option (paired with one-piece Dyform standing rigging), removing weight where it makes sense. The lighter mast lowers the centre of gravity of the carbon-rigged First 30 slightly, which has a noticeable effect, especially downwind.

Both masts carry a fully battened mainsail and a slightly overlapping jib, giving a sail area of just under 55 square metres upwind. Downwind, things get even more exciting. With a masthead gennaker, the First 30 has just under 130 square metres of sail area, with both configurations enough to get the lightweight boat planing even at relatively low boat speeds, (which of course only works in winds over 90 degrees AWA). Despite the focus on planing, the hull - especially the somewhat 'beefy' bow section - is also designed for cruising, unlike the Pogo, for example.

The BENETEAU First 30 as a cruising boat - it works well!

For holiday cruising, the First 30 is an easy boat to live aboard, offering everything you’d expect from a capable cruising yacht. The galley is inevitably compact given the boat’s overall size, but it still allows you to cook comfortably on a two‑burner hob. The cooker is gimballed, so meals or drinks can be heated safely while under way. One thing to note: there’s no oven. According to the yard, even long‑distance sailors rarely use one anyway.

In the saloon, two settees of equal length invite you to linger (and possibly also to sleep). In the centre is a simple but adequately sized folding table where four adults can enjoy a large meal in poor weather.

The cockpit has two benches, although they are a little too short for most adults to lie on comfortably lengthwise. However, they are optimally configured for a potential regatta crew with a foresail trimmer and a mainsheet trimmer — every boat is, after all, a compromise. Nevertheless, those on board will either reach their destination sooner and enjoy more time at the destination thanks to the First 30’s high average speeds, or will be able to expand their cruising range to explore more distant locations. And all this with full cruising comfort.

BENETEAU First 30 for sale - all the information for skippers/sailors

'Only' 10 metres? But hello!

10 metres boat length is the 'sweet spot' for many sailors. Why is this? Below 10 metres, interior volume is where there is the biggest compromise. That said, there are sailing boats of around 8 metres — and even under — that are a lot of fun to sail and easy to handle. If you want to buy a boat within the BENETEAU brand product range, these would be the First 27 SE and the First 24 SE. Both are excellent sailing boats, proven planers and also easy and safe to handle and sail. However, their interior space is more than limited due to the short length of the boat, which is why they tend to be used only by die-hard sailing ascetics or single-handed skippers for cruising.

However, with a length of 10 metres and above, the interior designers have enough volume to accommodate all the elements of a 'yachty' interior; from reasonably sized cabins and berth sizes to a fully equipped galley with cooking facilities, worktop, options for washing up and of course (most important!) a fridge. In addition, a proper shower room can be installed (more on this later) together with a saloon that - while it may be cosy - is fully functional.

Be sure to take a good look around a First 30 you are looking to buy as dealers always report how surprised visitors are when they see the saloon for the first time. This boat may look small from the outside, but the volume inside will amaze you.

Isn’t planing something for sailing professionals?

Length runs', as they say in shipbuilding. A longer waterline length increases the achievable top speed and (more importantly) raises the normal average speed. Of course, this is only true when it comes to the normal displacement travel of a hull through the water. As soon as it comes to planing, the only limitation is the breaking load limit of the rig and how brave the skipper is.

Some sailors, especially those who have previously sailed on rather slow displacement cruisers, may wonder whether this rapid planing at 10, 12 or even 16 knots is too difficult, or even dangerous! It's not. The First 30, like her little sisters, is designed to be easy to handle. You won’t even notice the planing speed - there is no shaking, no pounding or sonic boom - instead, there's just a gurgling sound at the stern, telling you that you have left a wake behind you. You will very quickly get used to double-digit sailing. The handling of the yacht, the direct tiller steering and the layout of the running rigging will help the helmsman and trimmer to move the boat safely and quickly, well below its safe limit at all times.

BENETEAU First 30 - even lighter than planned

This is what actually happened and confirmed to us by the shipyard. When the boat was designed - incidentally by none other than Sam Manuard (IMOCA designer) and renowned yacht designer Lorenzo Argento - the extremely precise computer calculations came up with a total weight of 3,140 kilograms for the new boat which was more than satisfactory for the shipyard. However, thanks to the work of Pure Engineering's structural calculation specialistss who optimise designs so that the same strength and rigidity can be achieved with less material - a total weight of 3,040 kilograms was achieved for hull number 1. This is unusual for a prototype, but this 100-kilogram saving is also maintained in series production. A fascinating fact!

Don’t be afraid of the high-speed express!

You don’t need to worry that you’re buying a bucking racehorse with the First 30! The boat sails very well and is forgiving of trim errors even when sailing at full speed. This is partly due to the 1.98 metre deep performance keel, whose low centre of gravity and high leverage allow the boat to sail with comparatively little heel even when there is a lot of wind pressure. At least 1,070 kilograms of ballast hangs below the hull, providing a substantial share of the yacht’s rigidity. The shipyard offers a short keel with a draught of just 1.68 metres for use on inland waterways or if you have a berth in a shallow harbour, which then weighs 1,320 kg. This provides the same safety and rigidity, but you may feel the extra 300 kilos of weight when sailing. Either way, you should try out the First 30 under sail so you can and see for yourself how the yacht performs and how safe you feel on board.

BENETEAU First 30 for sale - comfort below deck

One layout for all

As we have already noted, the layout of the yacht below deck is well-suited to cruising. The bow cabin (separated from the saloon with curtains that you can fit yourself) has a large V-berth suitable for two people. At the stern, there is another cabin (again without a door for weight-saving; owners will have to devise their own solution to create privacy) that is also suitable for two adults. A classic saloon has benches facing each other (where you can also sleep), there is a galley is on the port side and a shower/WC on the starboard side. The interior has everything you need!

In addition, there is the large lazarette, which can be accessed from the top of the cockpit as well as through a small door in the rear wall of the WC. Here you will find plenty of storage space for all kinds of accessories and spare parts, together with space for provisions, sail bags or a folding bike. Of course, while it is a comparitively generous space, remember that you are still on board a flat, sporty 10-metre yacht so space is at a premium.

Quite comfortable below deck. Our highlight: the shower room!

Even though there is a focus on saving weight, the interior of the First 30 still feels very light, friendly and far from the spartan feeling often found on competitors boats, especially on stripped out racing yachts. On the contrary, the wood-laminated floor lends a quiet warmth to the saloon, while the carefully chosen subtle colours chosen for the upholstery and wall panel fabrics supports a cosy, bright and welcoming atmosphere. Owners can further enhance the character of the boat to suit their preferences by adding their own (perhaps colourful) accents.

But the absolute highlight is the shower room. First of all: you wouldn’t normally expect this size of shower room on a boat of this class! The lightweight and ingenious folding magnetic door (already familiar from the First 27 SE) ensures privacy. A pump toilet discharges into the black water tank, and there is up to 100 litres of fresh water available for showers and the kitchen. You can shave and brush your teeth at a stylish washbasin, and the space to the side of the boat has been left open for an (ingenious!) hanging area for wet sailing clothes. Much thought has been put into this. The shower room is therefore probably best in class - a big plus for holidays taken with a partner or family.

Two points to note

The First 30's floor covering looks a little odd. The interior designers at Sito must have had something in mind, but we think it could perhaps be better - or, let’s say, more harmonious - because cork flooring has been laid in the companionway area, on the steps and in the galley. There’s nothing wrong with this in itself: cork is warm, insulating, inexpensive, lightweight and easy to repair. However, wood-veneered floorboards have been laid in the front part of the lounge, and they actually look quite smart in their own right. But in our opinion, cork and wood don’t mix and their use means there is always a visual boundary between the lounge and the galley. Maybe that was the idea? However, we think that removing the floorboards and gluing cork here would not only save a bit of weight, but could also create a more coherent interior feel. Perhaps one or two owners will realise this?

The First 30 is still too new to be found on the used boat market. However, this will change over the years and we are already looking forward to seeing what conversions and extensions the owners will have come up with and what the used boats will look like that you can buy in a few years’ time.

Summary and conclusion

A First, just the way you want it!

We mentioned the somewhat disappointing performance of its predecessor, Juan K’s interpretation of a fast sailing yacht in the 10-metre segment, at the beginning of the article. However, while the First 30, has only just entered mass production, we can tell it's the exact opposite. It not only embodies everything that Seascape stands for - sailing fun, simplicity and holiday enjoyment - but also what the First brand used to be known for: power that is affordable. In other words, a First just as BENETEAU in France want it to be and just as the unconventional minds in Slovenia want it to be. What’s more, the First 30 is currently available as a new boat at a hammer price: 100,000 euros net, that’s quite a statement. Even if fully equipped yachts (and then also factoring in transport, commissioning and VAT etc.) can realistically be bought for between 170,000 and 190,000 euros, this is still a more than competitive price. Overall its a very successful prospect.

BENETEAU First 30 for sale - what we particularly like:

• Timelessly elegant and dynamic design
• Planing is more the norm thanks to the lightweight construction
• Modern and bright atmosphere inside for sailing holidays

BENETEAU First 30 for sale - you should take a close look:

• So far only available as a new boat
• Cork vs. wooden floor may seem strange
• The barber hauler scrapes the superstructure, a workaround is needed here

Further reviews and test reports: