Cruising-racing sailboat First 30

2-cabin4-berthwith enclosed cockpit

Overview
The BENETEAU First 30 is a planing cruiser that blends planing performance with cruising comfort and easy handling. Designed for both experienced racers and cruising sailors, it opens a new category of small planing cruisers offering fast, controllable sailing with the equipment and comforts of a modern cruiser.

Designers

• Naval Architect: Samuel MANUARD
• Design: Lorenzo ARGENTO
• Structural engineering: Pure Design & Engineering
• Interior Design: SITO
• Innovation and research: BENETEAU & Seascape

Awards

• Yacht Style Awards Winner 2025 – Sailing Yacht Under 20m (First 30)
• European Yacht of the Year – Nominated 2026
• British Yachting Awards 2025 – Winner
• Voile Magazine – Voilier de l'année 2026
• Best Boats winners 2026 – Top 10

Main points

• Accessible planing: planing behaviour achievable in moderate winds for cruising or racing
• Easy handling: modern racing hull form, light construction, well-arranged deck equipment and generous winches
• Two cockpit configurations: cruising layout for clear cockpit floor and relaxation, racing layout for direct sail trimming
• Comfort rethought: simple, ergonomic interiors with efficient storage and practical solutions
• Safety at speed: excellent stability, twin rudders and ocean-capable design (CE A)

Sailing experience
The First 30 delivers a true lift-off planing sensation usually reserved for high-performance boats, while keeping handling straightforward. The deck layout reduces clutter and offers ergonomic control stations alongside a comfortable cockpit for day sailing or longer passages.

• Two cockpit layouts available: cruising layout (clean cockpit floor with mainsail bridle and German sheet system) and racing layout (mainsail traveller and direct mainsheet system).
• Generously sized cockpit ergonomics designed for easy handling by all crew members.

Living onboard
Interior spaces are minimalistic yet comfortable, offering accommodation for four in two cabins. Key features include a roomy forward cabin, saloon berths comparable to larger models, a well-sized galley and clever space-saving solutions.

• Galley: gimbaled stove, optional fridge, foldable galley extension
• Standing headroom: 1.85 m (6.0 ft)
• Interior solutions: foldable magnetic doors, removable textile lockers
• Designed as a comfortable home-away-from-home for families or couples

Onboard connectivity
The boat integrates connected features via the Seanapps mobile application and onboard unit for monitoring battery, fuel and water levels, maintenance scheduling, route planning and sailing status review on a smartphone.

Technical specifications

• Length Overall: 30'8" / 9.35 m
• Beam overall: 9'9" / 2.99 m
• Lightship Displacement: 6700 lbs / 3040 kg
• Air Draught Max: 48'3" / 14.7 m
• Draught Min: 5'6" / 1.68 m
• Draught Max: 6'6" / 1.98 m
• Fuel Capacity: 10.5 US Gal / 40 L
• Water Capacity: 26.4 US Gal / 100 L
• Max. engine power: 14 HP
• CE Certification: A2/B6