The new generation of Beneteau First is born: after officially announcing the buyout of Slovenian boatyard Seascape, Beneteau went on to renew its legendary First line, launching four 14- to 27-foot high-performance sailing yachts.
Built to plans by architect Sam Manuard, the First 14, 18, 24 and 27 are original Seascape designs and mark the boatyard’s return to the competitive sailing segment. The passionate “dream team” – a wonderful combination of the two boatyards’ cultures – in charge of developing the new First line will be taking the new sailing yachts on a world tour of the autumn boat shows.
Luc Joëssel, who is also the Figaro Beneteau 3 leader, alongside Gianguido Girotti and Luca Brancaleon (BENETEAU’s general managers), Kristian Hajnsek and Andraz Mihelin (Seascape’s co-founders and managers), make up a collaborative team in tune with the demands of a new generation of sailors who aspire to enjoying themselves, without the tiresome drawbacks of learning complicated techniques.
Behind the simple clean lines of these wonderful sailing yachts, is a high-tech spirit: the four new First sailing yachts have a carbon mast, a very stable hull, and a wide cockpit. They also have the best sail area-to-weight ratio on the market.
Designed like a skiff, the First 14 places the emphasis on the sheer pleasure of surfing, for athletic outings solo, two-handed, or with children or teenagers. With its feather weight (67 kg), this dinghy can be carried on the roof of a car or towed on a small trailer.