Beneath that period language is a moderate-displacement fiberglass monohull with a solid hull and a balsa-cored deck. It belongs to a generation of the First range deliberately shaped away from traditional sailing archetypes.
Design and Construction
The First 32 S5 is a moderate-displacement sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder. Its solid fiberglass hull was laid up to the production-yard standards of the era and reinforced by a molded interior grid system of stringers and floors, bonded and glassed to the hull. The deck is cored with end-grain balsa, although some reports indicate that other materials were used in select areas.
Above the waterline, the styling is modern and racy. A raked bow, sloping coachroof, and sugar scoop transom give the boat a contemporary profile. The true sugar scoop aft also makes boarding practical from a dinghy or the water.
The hull has a relatively fine entry and moderate beam carried aft. Because it tapers aft of amidships, the cockpit is narrow compared with those on more modern boats. That limits lounging room and stern volume, but it gives the crew secure bracing when the boat heels.
Rig and Sail Handling
The 32 S5 carries a 7/8 fractional sloop rig with double spreaders and discontinuous rod rigging. The backstay can be adjusted from either side of the cockpit through a single 12:1 tackle.
In the deep-keel version, the boat has a displacement/length ratio of 192. Together with the generous sail plan, that helps make it quick around the buoys; the boat earned a PHRF rating of 144 to 153 seconds per mile.
Period reviews identified two sail-handling drawbacks. The mid-boom mainsheet arrangement is cumbersome and makes quick adjustments difficult. The 140 percent genoa also tended to snag while crossing the boat during light-air tacks. The Isomat roller furler places its drum below deck level, which complicated efforts to clear a furling problem.
Underway
Test sailors found the steering light and responsive under power and sail. The boat tacks quickly even in light air, parts the water with little effort, and points high with ease. Its fractional rig and relatively generous sail area provide good drive in light to moderate airs.
The hull carries that drive through short-to-moderate chop without excessive hobby-horsing. In heavier seas, the narrow forward sections help the boat slice into waves rather than pound. Owners report lively performance off the wind and rewarding upwind sailing for a 32-footer.
The theoretical hull speed is 7 knots, which the boat can exceed in the right conditions. The deep keel draws 6 feet, while a shoal-draft wing keel drawing 4 feet 5 inches was offered for shallow-water sailors. At 9,260 pounds, the First 32 S5 sat halfway between the smaller First 310 and the larger Oceanis 370. Lead ballast supports a hull that the maker called quick and the press called audacious.
Accommodations
Starck’s interior concept gave the 32 S5 clean lines and styling that was modern for its day. White upholstery and shiny aluminum trim contrast with a dark mahogany cabin sole and curvaceous cabinets.
A large, well-lit and ventilated quarter berth lies aft to port and could serve as the master cabin. The head is conveniently located to starboard in the same area. Typical layouts include a forward V-berth and a modest saloon with settee berths, while the aft arrangement varies by version.
Headroom and tankage are suited to weekending and short coastal cruises rather than extended liveaboard use.
Known Issues
In warm, humid climates, the vinyl backing and cushion foam found in First-era Beneteaus tend to break down, so reupholstery is common.
Owners and surveyors also report wear around the deck core and deck interfaces. Findings can include soft spots, leaking stanchions and deck hardware, gelcoat crazing, and osmosis on some examples built before modern gelcoat practices.
A few owners have reported survey findings near the keel-to-hull area, including local deformations or compressions traced to hard groundings or poor support.
Refit and Ownership Considerations
For a used purchase, new standing rigging is recommended when the age of the existing rigging is unknown. Owners also frequently debate updated propeller choices, particularly whether two or three blades best suit their cruising preferences.
Refreshed electronics and sails can bring the boat up to date. Where a survey finds water ingress, targeted repairs to the core or through-fasteners are warranted.
The Verdict
The First 32 S5 is a distinctive late-1980s take on the performance cruiser: Berret’s naval architecture paired with Starck’s break-from-tradition interior. It’s quick on the race course and tidy enough for coastal weekends.
The boat rewards an attentive helm and a crew prepared to manage its mid-boom mainsheet. Its narrow aft sections are part of its character, while the balsa-cored deck calls for a surveyor’s careful attention to water ingress.
Pros
- Lively, rewarding handling upwind and off the wind for a 32-footer
- Modern Starck interior with a practical quarter-berth layout
- True sugar scoop transom and racy late-1980s styling
- Wing-keel option for shallow-draft cruising
Cons
- Narrow cockpit limits lounging room and stern volume
- Mid-boom sheeting and a light-air tendency for the genoa to snag can slow sail handling
- Interior foam and vinyl age poorly in warm climates
- Possible deck-core and keel-to-hull findings require careful inspection
