Hull, Weight, and Performance Character
The First 24 is built around a light-displacement philosophy that makes every knot of breeze feel consequential. Weighing in at 890 kilograms light displacement, the boat sits on the lighter end of the small-keelboat spectrum, and that low mass translates directly into acceleration that feels almost violent by coastal cruiser standards. Upwind she reaches over six knots in ten to fourteen knots of true wind, but it is the downwind numbers that define the sailing experience — speeds around 7.2 to 7.6 knots in a mere ten-knot breeze were documented in early published tests, with the hull approaching planing trim. The flat-top mainsail acts as a pressure-relief valve in gusts, opening at the head to spill wind automatically before a less experienced helm needs to react. The result is a boat that feels stable and composed precisely when an inattentive skipper might expect panic.
Rig, Sail Inventory, and Cockpit Ergonomics
The running rigging rewards the owner who takes time with it. An experienced rigger requires roughly three hours to prepare the boat for the first time, identifying and attaching the full suite of high-quality Ronstan blocks with Dyneema soft shackles throughout. Despite its compact footprint, the cockpit carries the full suite of trimming instruments expected on a grown-up racer — jib and main sheets, spinnaker halyard, outhaul, vang, Cunningham, two main reefs, and a spinnaker-boom control line. Two idlers on the coachroof allow a second line to divert to a free winch without interference, a detail that matters when racing shorthanded. The tiller extends so a skipper can move freely around the cockpit while retaining helm control. Mainsheet load is handled through enough purchase that one hand and one foot can veer and luff the main without muscular effort. Tacks and gybes are described uniformly as a no-brainer.
One detail that costs owners: the lazy bag is an optional add-on and should be on every order list. Without it, dropping the mainsail after a sail becomes a laborious operation that punishes anyone who forgot to specify the fitting at purchase.
Double Rudders and Handling Precision
The First 24 runs twin rudders, and their contribution to the sailing character is significant. Course changes respond instantly to any push or pull on the tiller, and the steering mechanism itself detaches with two hand movements, with each blade adjustable for precise rudder angle trim. On the race course, this granularity of control is a competitive asset. Off it, the immediacy of the helm means the boat never feels sluggish or disconnected — it dances rather than plods. In the hands of an experienced sailor, the boat overtook a newer, larger Dehler 34 with laminate sails both upwind and on a broad reach without the Dehler appearing to be in trouble — simply a demonstration of the hull's efficiency relative to its length.
Accommodation and Versatility
Below decks the First 24 does not pretend to be a cruising yacht, but it is more functional than the racing pedigree implies. The saloon offers a richness of possibilities that make the boat viable as a small cruiser, and owners are known to trailer the boat to various sailing areas and complete whole sailing weeks of island hopping or coastal sailing including offshore passages. The boat can be ordered with bean bags for the cockpit — a comfort detail that hints at the designers' intention to serve the performance-minded weekend sailor who also wants to enjoy a quiet hour in the sun between passages. The interior is a scaled-down scope rather than a sacrifice, and for two sailors it is entirely livable across multi-day trips.
Trailering and the Go-Anywhere Model
One of the First 24's structural advantages over marina-bound boats is its relationship with a trailer. The boat is easy to transport by car to any sailing area, requiring only a tow vehicle and modest motorway discipline — the trailer's legal maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour is the primary constraint. The boat sits well-balanced on the trailer with no wobbling or instability when properly set up on a purpose-matched unit. Stepping the mast does not require a crane; an optional A-frame allows the owner and a couple of friends to step it by muscle power, reducing launch complexity to a morning's work. Preparing a brand new boat from delivery takes a single day, versus three to five days for a comparable cruising yacht. The entire model proposition — build it in Slovenia, sell it with a detailed illustrated manual, have it in the water before lunch — reflects a design philosophy aimed squarely at the owner who sails many different waters rather than one home marina.
Sail Choice and Racing Laminate Considerations
The boat can be specced with North Sails racing laminates, and the performance gains are real. A North Sails professional who sailed the boat noted, however, that racing laminates are somewhat over-specified for a normal recreational sailor, and recommended considering a quality cruising laminate for anyone not focused on competitive results. The laminates are demanding in terms of care and handling — they reward precise trim but do not forgive neglect or rough furling. For owners who race regularly, the upgrade is justified. For the coastal cruiser who wants occasional club racing performance without the maintenance overhead, a cruising laminate delivers the essential character of the sail plan without the fragility.
The Verdict
The Beneteau First 24 is the boat for a sailor who has grown tired of slow and has run out of reasons to wait for something bigger. Its trailerable format, crane-free mast-stepping, and one-day setup time eliminate the barriers that keep small fast boats inaccessible. On the water, it genuinely outruns boats far beyond its waterline in moderate air, and it does so with a cockpit laid out thoughtfully enough that a shorthanded crew never feels overwhelmed. Below decks it is honest about its priorities without being punishing. The racing-laminate sail option is worth careful thought — it sharpens performance but raises the bar on sail care.
Pros
- Trailers easily behind a family car; no crane needed for mast stepping
- Exceptional speed across all points of sail, approaching planing downwind in moderate breeze
- Full race-ready trim controls in an ergonomically sound cockpit
- Twin rudders deliver immediate, precise helm response
- Versatile enough for multi-day coastal passages and island hopping
- One-day setup from delivery to sailing
Cons
- Lazy bag is optional and its omission makes mainsail handling genuinely burdensome
- Racing laminates require diligent care and may be over-specified for recreational sailors
- Minimal seagoing safety rail — crew must maintain three points of contact in any sea state
- Light displacement means the motion can be lively in chop; not a passagemaker for comfort-focused crews
