It was developed for recreational sailors who wanted a fast, manageable boat that could also serve as a capable weekend cruiser. The design occupies a deliberate middle ground between pure racing boats and heavier cruising yachts. Sailboat Guide describes the First 310 as a well-balanced cruiser-racer for sailors who value spirited performance and comfortable accommodations. Yachting Monthly notes that she was marketed as a fast family cruiser but remains a strong performer around the buoys. Jean-Marie Finot’s influence is evident throughout, and the exterior still looks sharp and modern.
Design and Construction
The First 310’s fiberglass hull is moderately beamy, particularly toward the aft sections. That shape adds form stability and creates usable space below deck. The aft beam and hull shape give her a recognizable Finot performance profile without pushing the design fully into race-boat austerity.
She has a beam of 10 feet 6 inches and displaces roughly 7,040 pounds, including 1,785 pounds of iron ballast. The underwater profile combines a fin keel with a spade rudder. Construction includes inner structural reinforcement, while the hull-to-deck logic follows Beneteau’s practice.
Finot’s influence is also clear below. The interior is quite sparse and plastic, and the stainless steel table supports can jar against the eye. Still, the layout is practical, and the finish favors durability over luxury.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The fractional sloop rig uses a larger mainsail and smaller headsail. Halyards and control lines are led aft to the cockpit, making the boat easier to sail single- or short-handed. Reefing lines and other controls remain accessible from the helm, allowing a couple to manage sail without leaving the wheel.
The fin keel and spade rudder give the First 310 excellent maneuverability and responsiveness. She points well to windward, helped by the rig configuration and keel design. In light to moderate wind, her relatively light displacement and efficient sail plan let her accelerate easily and hold good speed.
In heavier winds or choppy seas, the hull form provides respectable stability. The rudder retains reliable control even when the boat is heeled. Throughout, she remains balanced on the helm and gives the sailor a connected feel rather than detached, autopilot-style feedback.
Accommodations
Below decks, the First 310 typically has a forward V-berth, a double aft cabin, and convertible saloon seating. The arrangement comfortably accommodates up to four people while cruising.
Yachting Monthly specifies a large double aftercabin, a plain forecabin, a small but adequate galley, a basic aft-facing chart table, and a good heads—all very much in the Finot tradition. The galley has a stove and sink, while the navigation station and head compartment are well proportioned for a boat of this size.
Adequate headroom and ample natural light help make the interior pleasant. The joinery and finish are typical of Beneteau from this era: durable, practical, and aesthetically pleasing without being overly luxurious.
Deck and Cockpit
The cockpit is deep and secure, with ergonomically positioned seating and winches. Its design provides crew with protection in rougher conditions.
Wide side decks and secure handholds allow safe movement on deck, an important consideration when short-handed sail handling sends one crew member forward. The deck layout also supports the led-aft control arrangement; the cockpit doesn’t punish a couple when one person must leave the helm to trim.
Known Issues
Survey reports flag water intrusion into the rudder blade, which can eventually lead to internal delamination or swelling.
Another reported issue concerns the keel bolts. Signs of weeping or slight movement can also develop around the keel-hull joint, producing the so-called smile crack.
The electrical system is relatively basic, especially on early models, and may be prone to corrosion or outdated wiring configurations. Original portlights and hatches may also begin to leak over time, particularly if their seals haven’t been replaced. Some owners have noted limited holding-tank capacity and minimal gray-water management systems.
The Verdict
The First 310 is a Finot-penned cruiser-racer that offers genuine performance without giving up weekend-cruising livability. She accelerates quickly, points well, and remains balanced, yet still provides a practical four-berth interior within a beamy, modern hull. Her known structural and systems concerns are typical of the era and manageable with diligent surveying.
Pros
- Excellent maneuverability and responsiveness from the fin keel and spade rudder
- Fractional rig with all controls led aft for short-handed sailing
- Beamy aft sections add form stability and space below decks
- Practical Finot interior with a large double aft cabin and good heads
Cons
- Risk of rudder-blade water intrusion, with possible delamination or swelling
- Concerns about keel bolts and weeping at the keel-hull joint
- Basic electrical systems on early boats may be prone to corrosion
- Sparse, plastic interior, with visually jarring stainless steel table supports
