Sailboat Bénéteau First 14 for sale

The First 14 and First 14 SE is a small planing dinghy with real speed potential

To have fun sailing, people need far less than they might initially think - a small, lightweight dinghy can be set up in a just a few minutes, quickly attaching the sails to the mast and pushing the boat into the water ready to go sailing. With its First 14 and First 14 SE, BENETEAU has designed a dinghy for sale that has completed the circle, providing easy handling for beginners and very high sailing performance with a planing guarantee for experienced dinghy sailors at an attractive price. Could the First 14 or First 14 SE for sale be something for you?

BENETEAU’s stroke of genius

The design was originally built by the Slovenian sailboat manufacturer Seascape, however in 2018, BENETEAU bought a controlling interest in the shipyard and renamed the sailing dinghy as the First 14 SE (Seascape Edition). This strategy immediately added a small, efficient and well-built sailing dinghy to the world's largest sailboat manufacturer's portfolio. The strategy combined Seascape's agile, modern and high-performance designs with BENETEAU's manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and opened the door to a new segment for the French manufacturer. Prior to the acquisition, BENETEAU had concentrated on building large keelboats, cruisers and luxury yachts, leaving the business in the small boat segment of less than 30 feet - and even down to dinghies - to others. The collaboration has redefined BENETEAU's First line of sailboats, incorporating Seascape's expertise in building fast, easily transportable and accessible sailing boats.

If you are considering a used First 14 or First 14 SE for sale, it is worth bearing in mind that models manufactured before 2018 are still labelled as 'Seascape' and boats built after 2018 are sold under the BENETEAU and First brands. However, nothing has changed in terms of construction, superstructure, lamination and high build quality. The boats continue to be built using high-quality vacuum sandwich technology by highly-trained professionals in Slovenia.

The concept of the boat is as simple as it is ingenious: go sailing and have fun!

The First 14 and its slightly more powerful sister, the First 14 SE, are designed with a single purpose - that of delivering maxiumum enjoyment on the water which is why the boat has been designed to be rigged in just a few minutes, often with just one or two people. The two-piece mast is joined together and inserted into the mast foot on the deck. The dinghy uses a simple rig with no spreaders and continuous rigging. The mainsheet is attached, in a similar way to that of an Optimist dinghy. The main and self-tacking jib are hoisted using a halyard and the rudder then attached at the stern. The First 14 has a daggerboard that is slotted into the relevant position depending on whether the boat is being used for single-handed sailing or double-handed sailing. The forward slot is used when the First 14 is sailing under full sail, and the aft slot is used by a novice adult or a child and want to go out on the lake or sea with a just a mainsail. Thanks to its generous beam of 1.7 metres, and the side and flat hull shape, the First 14 is very stable and much less likely to capsize than comparable sailboats. The dinghy's width also means that the boat planes very quickly. With the First 14 and First 14 SE, reaching double-digit speeds and planing — almost like surfing — isn’t a rare thrill, but instead it's a standard experience. A fun dinghy for fast sailing, suitable for children and teenagers as well as for adults who simply want to have fun for a few hours. A highlight: the boat can be sailed by one or two people.

BENETEAU First 14 for sale - hull, construction, design and sail plan

Vacuum infusion, high-tech foam core. Light-weight carbon rig and laminate sail

The small boats First 14, First 24 and First 27 for sale are original Seascape designs and mark BENETEAU's return to the competitive sailing segment. The Seascape Edition - SE - boats are affordable and safe to sail with everything on board designed to simplify manoeuvres. This design philosophy was then extended to larger First models with the First 30 and the First 36 also for sale as SE variants. What’s the difference? To put it simply: the difference can be compared to a Porsche Boxter and a 911. The SE has more power, significantly better equipment and is lighter. So if you are looking for absolute sailing fun, you should take a closer look at the SE version; if you prefer a a calmer sailing experience and also want to keep to a budget, the First boats without the suffix might be a more appealing choice.

With the First 14, the hull itself is the same in both versions with no difference between SE and non-SE. The hull is built using vacuum infusion technology and only the red trim strip for the SE and the silver sticker for the non-SE distinguish them. Two large buoyancy chambers make the dinghy unsinkable - but beware, the First 14 can still capsize! The hull weighs around 70 kilograms and measures an impressive 4.3 metres in length with a beam of 1.7 metres - many people don’t realise just how large the hull actually is! The thin laminate makes the hull very lightweight enabling the dinghy to be carried by two people, but it is advisable to have three people to help with loading and unloading.

Aluminium rig and Dacron sails or full carbon rig and North Sails laminate sails?

What more do sailors get when they buy the SE? The hull is the same on both boats, but the SE features a carbon mast, boom and bowsprit and a larger sail area. The First 14 version has a two-piece Seldén aluminium main mast and an aluminium boom. The two sails are made of single Dacron and has a sail area of approximately 10.6 m² providing easier handling than the SE. A small gennaker equipped with a clever single-handed control system is deployed and retrieved using a snuffer.

The SE has a high-performance stiff carbon fibre rig and a larger 12.3 m² sail area. North Sails laminate sails provide additional racing speed. The fittings are high-quality and the sailing control lines are from Robline or Maffioli. The comparison with the Boxter and the 911 is therefore very apt: the First 14 has slightly less sail area and therefore less performance, but the price is between 15 and 20% less than the SE. The First 14 SE is around 10 kg lighter in weight and also equipped to provide powerful performance: you might call it the genuine article. However, this does comes at a price for this boat for sale. A new First 14 SE boat for sale, together with a trailer (you may also need a launch trolley), can cost more than 20,000 euro.

BENETEAU First 14 for sale - simple handling, minimum effort

Both the First 14 and the First 14 SE has been designed to minimise the preparation time before sailing and also the time needed to dismantle and store the boat after the session. Different covers are therefore available for sale: you can buy a good-quality cover if you are storing the dinghy ashore with the mast left up, or a full cover that is suitable for both storage and transportation when the rig is lowered.

Experienced adult sailors can raise and lower the mast on their own, but we would always recommend having someone to help, especially if you have a carbon fibre rig, which is less forgiving if there is an accident. The dinghy comes with unique removable wheels but you may prefer to use a launching trolley, which is useful if you store the boat at a sailing club or other shoreside location. Standard trollies are made of steel and so are comparatively heavy so it's worth looking for a lighter aluminium alternative. The boat's lightweight and flat design mean it can be easily turned upside down and transported on a car's roof meaning you don't need a trailer to transport the dinghy by road. However if you do want to trailer the boat, the German trailer manufacturer Harbeck specialises in the production of trailers manufactured especially for First 14 dinghies. Other trailer manufacturers can also supply a suitable trailer.

Beginner boat following on from an Optimist or a regatta winner? Both!

If you ask dealers, customers are much more interested in First 14 SEs for sale than in the First 14 slightly simpler aluminum version. Some speak of the ratio of buyers seeking a First 14 SE over a First 14 being as high as 8:2 or even 9:1, with buyers ranging from ambitious teenagers to retired couples who enjoy daysailing together on Lake Constance. A dry suit or a wet suit is advisable for all First 14 sailors.

Those who want to sail alone will be delighted with the self-tacking jib meaning there is no need to release the sheets in order to tack and gybe quickly and easily. The First 14 can be reefed, with the dinghy equipped with a furling jib system as standard. You can also enjoy a fast and stable sail under mainsail alone. So who is this dinghy suitable for? For your child who has outgrown an Optimist, and also for yourself if you are looking for a simple, fast sailboat for sale for a few hours of fast-paced planing fun!

Interesting concept: water touring with the First 14

One additional feature is worth a special mention. The First 14 is available for sale with unique removable launching wheels. The wheels are mounted on both sides of the hull using a special bracket system, allowing the boat to be launched or retrieved from the water without the need for a traditional launching trolley. Once the dinghy is afloat, the wheels can be easily ‘flipped up’ or detached and securely fastened to the stern of the dinghy above the waterline. The concept is as simple as it is ingenious: you can pack a small tent and a change of clothes in waterproof bags — just as you would when canoeing — and set off along the coast, sailing from one beach to the next. And since you always have your own launch trolley (removable wheels) on board, you’re completely independent of local facilities or the need to borrow someone else’s launching trolley, whether you’re arriving at a new harbour or exploring a remote wilderness. It’s an adventure with total freedom!

But be aware when buying the dinghy that the launching wheels are not designed for rough terrain or for use in deep sand, with several sailors reporting broken or damaged wheels from this activity. The wheels are not well-suited for rough meadows or uneven, bumpy terrain, however, they perform perfectly on paved, concrete, or other smooth surfaces.The addition of removable wheels enhances the versatility of this dinghy, making it possible to embark on multi-day holiday journeys within your chosen sailing area, putting extended coastal adventures within easy reach.

BENETEAU First 14 for sale - all the information skippers and sailors need

A treat for everyone to enjoy: the First 14 and First 14 SE appeals to everyone

Do you sail on a lake, a river or in sheltered coastal waters? This CE category D2 dinghy performs best in strong winds but is less suited to choppy or very wavy conditions. The dinghy will glide through the waves with its wave-piercing bow or begin to plane as the speed builds, becoming easier to steer with control. The First 14 is an ideal entry-level dinghy suitable for newcomers to sailing in mainsail-only mode or for those who are more experienced and enjoy the speed and exhilaration this dinghy provides. The dinghy is suitable for single or double-handed crews without compromising the sailing experience, for exploring hidden coves or taking part in sailing races and regattas. If you are interested in this dinghy for sale and would like to see it in action, you can find videos of these boats reaching high double-digit speeds under gennaker on platforms such as YouTube. The First 14 and First 14 SE modern wide and flat hull shape has been designed for planing and to deliver an exciting sailing experience. The dinghies are fast sailboats with the potential to win club racing and regattas.

Tuning and upgrade options for the First 14 SE

Like most boats, the First 14 can be customised to suit individual owners' needs. With the First 14 and SE versions, modifications usually encorporate small upgrades such as anti-slip coverings in the hull itself and on the edges of the sides, different foot straps or changes to the genneker snuffer. If you are looking at a used First 14 for sale, make sure you inspect any modifications thoroughly. Pay special attention to any holes that may have been drilled in the hull where none were intended, as any alterations such as these could lead to issues in the medium or longer term. It's advisable to steer clear of modifications that were not initially designed for the boat such as a trapeze attached to the mast as the boat is not intended for or built to take the extra forces that result. The First 14 and First 14 SE are designed as hiking dinghies with foot straps for the crew to position themselves comfortably and safely on the wide outer decks and use their bodyweight as a human counterweight to absorb any wind gusts, leaning out to keep the boat flat and upright. Trapezes should not be installed for safety reasons! If the First 14 comes with a trailer for sale or a launch trolley for sale, you should also examine these carefully. A trailer must be suitable for the individual boat and match the trailer's capacity to the boat's total weight plus a safety buffer. Also bear in mind the weight distribution of the boat, making sure the dinghy is supported evenly along the length of its hull.

The First 14 and First 14 SE on the used boat market

Due to a relatively high cost of buying a new boat like the First 14 SE, you may be tempted to buy a used boat instead. Bear in mind that boats used extensively for racing may be well-maintained but usually the boat has been pushed to its limits which can often lead to structural issues and worn-out rigging and fittings. While many parts can be bought new and replaced quickly, new rig parts or even a new hull are not financially worthwhile. It can be more cost-effective to invest in a brand new First 14 from the shipyard, which then comes with dealer guarantees included and a full two-year warranty. The build quality and level of equipment on these boats definitely justifies the comparatively high purchase price for a dinghy.

If you’re in the market for a used First 14 for sale, be sure to take a look at the underside of the hull as the boat may have been run aground. Some sailors run their boats aground to land on shore or access shallow areas which can cause damage to the weight-optimised, thin outer skin of the hull. With BENETEAU still manufacturing the First 14 and First 14 SE, replacement parts such as covers, rudders, centreboards or even equipment such as rigging or sails, can be bought from BENETEAU dealers if any of the equipment on the dinghy is damaged or worn.

Summary and conclusion

Deciding between a First 14 or First 14 SE for sale

First of all, we’re taking a stand here: we think that 'if it’s possible, it’s possible!' and have chosen the First 14 SE with its carbon rig and stylish North Sails laminates as our favourite. You don’t go to a Porsche meeting in a Boxter…

The dinghy is great fun and can still be sailed by novice sailors. The versatile boat can be used by those new to sailing as they work their way through the spectrum of sail plans gaining both experience and confidence in mastering the boat. Younger sailors looking for the next thrill after their Opti career will find the First 14 SE an exciting and fun sailboat, as will daysailing and dinghy specialists looking for their after-work kick with its 14 knots planing speed. It's a high-quality, very well-made and versatile dinghy that you should definitely take a closer look at.

First 14 for sale - we particularly like this boat:

• The boat is available in two variants with both sharing the same versatile stable hull, with the First 14 SE featuring a lighter, stiffer carbon rig for better performance.
• The dinghy has been designed for easy sail handling thanks to its self-tacking jib and single-line gennaker system.
• It provides fast sailing performance, yet is surprisingly stable.

First 14 for sale - you should take a closer look:

• The purchase price for the complete system is quite high, especially for the SE version.
• Wheels can be installed on the hull for launching the dinghy and then stowed at the transom while sailing however these are only compatible with firm, smooth surfaces.
• Watch out for (possibly unauthorised) additions on used boats such as a trapeze.

Further reviews and test reports: