Hull Form and Deck Layout
The 33.7's nearly vertical stem, a usefully small transom, and a good IMS design give it a hull that dates well — the lines read as purposeful rather than fashionable. At 9.98 metres LOA against a waterline of 8.86 metres, the hull is stretched to maximise speed potential without tipping into sportsboat territory. Beam of 3.40 metres is generous for the era, contributing directly to the spacious interior without burdening the boat with excess windage. The deck layout was conceived with two people able to run the boat, with all reefing lines leading conveniently to the cockpit. Lewmar winches and Spinlock jammers handle the deck hardware, and the mainsheet traveller runs full-width in the cockpit, where tiller steering is standard — wheel is an available option.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The First 33.7 carries a nine-tenths fractional rig with two sets of swept-back spreaders and an adjustable backstay, a configuration that keeps the mast stiff, allows the sail plan to be trimmed aggressively, and makes the boat manageable for a small crew. The sail areas are well-proportioned: a 34 square metre genoa handles windward work effectively, while a 68 square metre spinnaker allows the boat to surf freely offshore. The semi-battened 30.25 square metre mainsail is straightforward to manage. Performance credentials are genuine — at a Sydney Harbour Beneteau regatta the 33.7 won both spinnaker and non-spinnaker divisions, running just behind a Cavalier 35 on an eight-mile course. She is responsive and well balanced on the helm, making her a popular club racer.
Accommodations and Interior
Below decks the 33.7 punches well above its waterline length. The standard two-cabin layout provides one forward cabin, one aft cabin and one head near the companionway. The forepeak is a full double, the aft owner's cabin carries a double berth with 1.77 metres headroom at its entrance, and the saloon settees double as sea berths flanking a drop-down dinette. Beneteau's pearwood-stained mahogany finish, signature First portholes and excellent downlighting give the interior a warmth that the bare-boat market rarely achieves at this size. The chart table is large, forward facing, with plenty of instrument space and a comfortable seat. The galley is L-shaped to port and on the small side but has all the essentials. Minimum headroom through the living areas runs to 1.78 metres. An optional layout moves the head forward and adds a second aft cabin, useful for families or charter contexts.
Cockpit and Handling Considerations
The cockpit is the one area where the 33.7 makes a deliberate trade-off. It is a tad too small for big groups, a consequence of the hull's emphasis on internal volume and performance. For a racing couple or a daysailing crew of three to four it works well enough — teak-slatted benches with rounded moulded edges and dedicated gas-bottle and sail lockers keep things organised. The tiller default is a legitimate choice for a boat this size: it keeps feedback direct and weight low, though the wheel option adds cockpit comfort on longer passages.
Refit and Maintenance Notes
The Yanmar SGM20 engine was the standard fit, reliable and well-supported. With production spanning 1997 to 2001 and the boat replaced by the 34.7 in 2002, the 33.7 sits in a mature maintenance window. Parts for the standard Lewmar and Spinlock deck hardware remain readily available. The keel is a deep-fin type with lead ballast, which simplifies inspection compared to iron-keel designs prone to rust weeping. The adjustable backstay and swept spreader rig means standing rigging geometry should be checked carefully on any pre-purchase survey — age-related fatigue in the chainplates and upper shroud tangs is the expected wear point for boats of this vintage. The furling genoa, standard from new, deserves inspection of its foil condition if it has never been replaced.
The Verdict
The Beneteau First 33.7 is a rare example of the dual-purpose cruiser-racer actually delivering on both counts. Berret/Racoupeau gave it a hull that performs rather than merely looks the part, and the interior is generous enough that a couple can live aboard comfortably without the constant sense of negotiating with the space. It is at its best as a useful yacht for a couple who race on weekends and cruise on passage — a combination the boat handles with the kind of composure that keeps owners loyal long after newer designs have appeared.
Pros
- Fractional rig with swept spreaders and cockpit-led controls makes short-handed sailing straightforward
- Proven racing pedigree without the stripped-out interior that typically comes with it
- Generous waterline length relative to LOA delivers real below-decks volume
- Well-balanced tiller steering gives excellent helm feedback
- Pearwood and mahogany interior finish holds up aesthetically over time
Cons
- Cockpit is small for groups larger than four, limiting her appeal as a charter or social platform
- Galley is compact; serious cooking on passage requires good preparation
- Standing rigging on surviving boats requires close scrutiny given the age of the fleet
- Wheel steering adds cost and complexity from new; many examples remain tiller-only
