Bénéteau's brand new racer-cruiser, the First 36, has just been unveiled before being presented to the public at the Boot 2022 in Dusseldorf.

Is it a real racing cruiser or has it been given that label for commercial purposes? There is no doubt from the specifications: there will be sport!

The Bénéteau Firsts, a whole history

This new First 36 belongs to the seventh generation of these fast cruisers launched by Bénéteau. The manufacturer has sold no less than 30,000 Firsts since the launch of the First 30 in 1977.

The Firsts have raced on all the world's waters, from the Sidney Hobart to the Fastnet, including the Admiral's Cup and all possible coastal events.

A Slovenian First 36!
The new Bénéteau will be manufactured in the Slovenian workshops of the subsidiary Seascape, acquired in 2018. 

Seascape retains its tradition of stiff, lightweight boats and the First 36 will be no exception with a laminated bulkhead construction, vacuum infused vinylester and a seamless interior finish.

A very complete team has been working on this boat with Sam Manuard for the architecture, Lorenzo Argento for the design, Pure Design for the structure and Gigo Design (Girotti) for R&D. 

A boat designed for efficiency

When you look at the lines of the new Bénéteau First 36, you can recognize the current canons of sailboat design, very wide stern, double helm station, bowsprit, chines, but there is no real indication of the strong character of the new First 36, apart from its neat fittings.

It is rather when we look at its technical data sheet that we get a more precise idea. Bulb keel with a 1.55 ton ballast

With its 4.8 tons for 11 m and 80 m2 of sail area, it looks like a Pogo, but without the waiting time. In terms of performance, it should be able to glide in light airs!

Bénéteau is planning a small series production, but which should reach 30 units per year, enough to satisfy sailboat enthusiasts who do not want to wait two years to have their boat delivered!

 A boat visible at the Boot in Dusseldorf in January 2022 at a base price of less than €200,000.