Practical Sailor · video

What this video covers

The Beneteau First 30, relaunched in 2024, measures 30 feet 8 inches long, 9 feet 9 inches wide, and displaces just over 6,700 pounds — light enough to plane in the right conditions.2:16 The original First 30 debuted in 1977 and shifted Beneteau's identity from fishing and family cruisers toward performance sailing; the new model revives that mission with a plumb bow, wide stern, twin rudder blades, and a deep fin keel.1:05 A hands-on sail on the Great Lakes confirmed the twin rudders give the tiller extreme sensitivity — small inputs produce immediate, go-kart-like response, which suits racing but would fatigue a crew on a long passage.3:05 Two keel options are available: a standard draft of five and a half feet and a deep performance keel at six and a half feet.6:05 Below deck the boat carries a functional interior with cabins, a galley, and a head rather than a stripped racing shell.4:05 Two deck configurations exist — a cruising layout with comfortable benches and a racing layout with a full-width traveler and upgraded winches.3:54 The boat is described as trailerable in some regions and manageable short-handed.6:19 A companion article on ultra fairleads and soft padeyes for line routing and sail trim is referenced in the description.7:19

Boats in this video

More from Practical Sailor

Bayfield 36 – A Cheap Bluewater SailboatAug 202610 Sailing Mistakes You’ll Only Make OnceAug 2026Bayfield 32 Boat Tour - The Canadian Cruiser That Crossed the AtlanticAug 2026Which Boats Are Easy to Sail? 7 Features That MatterAug 2026

From Practical Sailor — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.