Best performance cruiser 2023 - Onboard the Beneteau First 36. Is First back to its best?

A planing sports boat that could rekindle the First's cruiser-racer reputation. The First 36 is uncomplicated and a pleasure to sail. Toby Hodges steps onboard the winner of the Performance Cruiser category in the European Yacht of the Year awards 2023.

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[toddscaturro]

I have been dreaming of this boat ever since its’ release. Thank you for bringing it to life!

[ianscott]

25+ years ago I bought the only new boat I have had. A 37ft Beneteau, not a good year for them and it all neary ended up in court. Osmosis in the second season, re-gel coated, dreid out then more osmsosis and on it went. I eventually settled and stangely enough bought another Beneteau with a friend. An ex charter First 501 in Saint Martin. We brought he back to the uk and after a lot of refitting had 20 odd years of fun on the South Coast of the UK, France and the Med. At seventy I day sail a Contess 26, just to keep me on the water. Mixed feelings about Beneteau for sure.

[deepeddysf]

I’ve had a 1987 First 305 for 15 years. Great sailing, solid little boat. This new 36 looks like a nice design and a decent quality build. Would love to see Beneteau bump up the build quality and durability, maybe using epoxy resin instead of vinylester while staying competitive on price through volume.

[takatustew]

great to see a review of this new yacht, done a lot within a a practical size to own for racing and cruising

[xianstuff]

I have a 1981 First 35. It's great to see a few little resemblances remain.

[otellofabiani]

Great tour Toby of what I think is a great boat. I wish Beneteau success for aiming to get people fall in love with sailing, for the pure fun of it!

[ColinHarvey]

What a fantastic boat! Great performance, lots of seamanlike features and designs! If you like a sporty boat that can do cruising too, this is on the money!

[Muratshayev]

I have been waiting for this review for a long time. Thanks Toby)

[farrellko]

Had a 40.7 years ago (2003 ish). This looks like more fun. I remember the First line from the 80's and 90's - great boats and got so many people out sailing on a saturday afternoon. Interesting to see roller furling genor and lazybag on the main - these wouldn't have been anywhere near a race boat 10 years ago. Cruiser racer is back.

[BoatLife_DansBoatLife]

I'm taking this for a sail in a few weeks so will try get the 25kts and swell for you.

[rainmaker]

Everyday is a good day at your office Toby!!

[Mars]

that bathroom door needs to be a slider ether within a slot or folding. both are possible if they agreed to do it.. no way a swinging door on that rig. otherwise a phenom of a boat design and execution, the price is on point, it's no wonder they have a quite a backlog on order, and it's a good thing for them to consider some minor custom worx.

[edster]

I wondered when this video was going to be made!

[johnhopkins]

This is the First 36 I've gotten excited about. See what I did there? Nice boat.

[wckoek]

I wondered if Beneteau is still using balsa core in this boat while Jenneau and Bavaria have moved on to infusion.
The very expensive First yacht and Yacht 62 still using that method, and I am concern with their practice of having the rudder attachment in a box of some sort.
Hope that those flaws are improved in this new model.
I still hope that they make a cruiser racer boat out of the Figaro hull design like what they did with Figaro 1 to First 300, 31.7

[philipadastra]

Are we gonna get any coverage of the Dusseldorf boat show from you guys this year? :)

[RichieKeane]

Welcome back and belated HNY Toby, been waiting for this one for a while. Do you think she would make a decent solo fast long distance cruiser or is she too light at 4t? Pricy v the oceanis 34/38 What’s the CE rating?

[kkklllaaa]

Thanks Toby. Great review of a great boat!

[scottlomas]

I love it I think she looks fabulous 😍

[scottlomas]

Wow 30 a year that's really good production .