Beneteau First 310 Buyer's Guide
The Beneteau First 310 is a Finot-designed 30-foot cruiser-racer produced from 1990 for five years, with 496 built, and it remains a recognizable club racer that doubles as a weekend coastal cruiser. On the brokerage market she appeals to sailors who want responsive performance without the privation of a pure race boat. Knowing which layouts and upgrades are common, and which structural points deserve survey attention, separates a good purchase from a deferred-maintenance project.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but both are available, and ex-charter examples are common. The standard interior provides a forward V-berth, a double aft cabin, and a saloon with convertible seating for up to four, with a small but adequate galley and a basic aft-facing chart table. A large double aftercabin is a defining trait, and the heads is well proportioned for the size. Buyers cross-shopping a Catalina 30 or Jeanneau Sun Fast 31 will find the First 310 distinct in its minimalism.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Chartplotters, spinnakers, autopilots, asymmetric spinnakers, and dodgers are commonly fitted, meaning most boats will already carry the core navigation and sail-handling kit a new owner needs. Often-seen additions include hot water, bimini, swim platform, cockpit shower, and a short-handed setup that keeps trim and reefing within reach of the helm. Less common but worth noting as owner upgrades are AIS, life raft, solar, inverter, lithium batteries, and teak decks — a buyer wanting off-grid power should expect to pay for or fit that themselves. For consequence, the short-handed setup and autopilot cluster matters most for solo or couple sailing, while a spinnaker or asymmetric expands light-air range.
What to Inspect
Owners should watch for water entering the rudder blade anchor, which can cause internal delamination or swelling. Keel bolts warrant attention, and weeping or slight movement at the keel-hull joint — a smile crack — can develop. Early-model electrical systems are relatively basic and may show corrosion or outdated wiring, so panel and harness condition should be checked. Original portlights and hatches may leak if seals were not replaced, and some owners have noted limited holding tank capacity with minimal gray water management.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats typically appear in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Canada, and Belgium. For a shopper, the checklist is straightforward: confirm rudder integrity and keel-joint condition, review the electrical system for corrosion, test deck ports and hatches for leaks, and decide whether the standard three-cabin layout or the less common alternative suits your plans. A commonly fitted autopilot and short-handed rig make her an easy boat to own short-handed, provided the known structural items are sound.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Beneteau First 310. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 12 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25 | 1 | $34,900 | — |
| Jul 25 | 1 | $47,000 | +34.7% |
| Sep 25 | 2 | $32,750 | -30.3% |
| Dec 25 | 2 | $24,900 | -24.0% |
| Jan 26 | 5 | $33,436 | +34.3% |
| Mar 26 | 3 | $29,900 | -10.6% |
| Apr 26 | 7 | $30,000 | +0.3% |
| May 26 | 5 | $14,900 | -50.3% |
| Jun 26 | 7 | $34,700 | +132.9% |
| Jul 26 | 3 | $32,422 | -6.6% |
| Aug 26 | 2 | $50,563 | +56.0% |
| Sep 26 | 4 | $48,439 | -4.2% |
Where they're listed
Beneteau First 310 listings appear across 5 countries. United States has the most listings with 21 (60.0%), followed by United Kingdom and Canada.
Country view
35 listings · 5 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $27,484 | 21 | 3 | 60.0% |
| United Kingdom | $32,925 | 6 | 1 | 17.1% |
| Canada | $51,164 | 4 | 2 | 11.4% |
| Spain | $45,427 | 3 | 0 | 8.6% |
| Belgium | $37,421 | 1 | 1 | 2.9% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
9 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchi First 31.7 | 31.53' | $ 50,705 | 64 | 19 |
| Catalina 310 | 31' | $ 55,900 | 55 | 4 |
| Beneteau First 35 | 35.17' | $ 53,407 | 46 | 12 |
| Beneteau First 30 (Mauric) | 29.36' | $ 85,062 | 43 | 18 |
| diseño Finot First 310You are here | — | $ 30,000 | 38 | 9 |
| Hunter Marine 310 | 30.83' | $ 33,750 | 28 | 11 |
| Hallberg-Rassy 310 | 30.91' | $ 176,030 | 24 | 5 |
| Nautitech 310 Grand Large | 31.73' | $ 105,618 | 22 | 7 |
| Beneteau First 10 R | 32.75' | $ 84,000 | 16 | 7 |