Beneteau First 50 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Briand gave the First 50 a sleek, sophisticated hull form with a skinny keel carrying a large bulb—a T-bulb configuration—and a deep, narrow-chord rudder that together build confidence at the dock and on the helm anchor. The hull itself is solid fiberglass with a reinforcing grid inside, while the deck is a light but strong balsa-cored sandwich of fiberglass, balsa, and polyester resin with an inner molding containing structural beams that preserves stiffness without weight anchor. Above the cabin windows, molded eyebrows double as flush handrails and offer a little shade, and the low coachroof lets a watchkeeper see clearly from anywhere in the cockpit. The rudderstock is injection-molded biaxial and unidirectional glass set in epoxy, mounted in ball and roller bearings for smooth motion.

Rig and Handling

The boat carries a tall, three-spreader, tapered aluminum rig by Sparcraft with rod rigging and Navtec hydraulics, and a Harken roller-furler drum that lives belowdecks so the genoa foot meets the deck cleanly. Twin banks of control lines lead aft to a low-slung deckhouse where the only protrusions are two Harken winches; the helmsman reaches those and the centerline mainsheet winch easily from either of the twin 35-inch wheels. Test sailors found the yacht carried just the right weather helm to make steering a joy anchor, accelerated like a racer when a puff heeled her to 25 degrees, and tacked in just over 60 degrees, touching 8 knots on a close reach. Under power, the turbo-charged Yanmar diesel with a three-blade folding saildrive prop pushed her at 8 knots and turned in about one boatlength with an easy wheel. The deep keel kept her from being blown sideways while docking in a crosswind.

Accommodations

The interior is by Veerle Battiau: a single plan with one forward cabin and two aft, the forward master offering an ensuite head and a centerline queen accessible from both sides, while the aft doubles share one head and shower. Light Alpi wood trim, laminated for a consistent grain, and a parquet cherry-stained sole lift the saloon, where straight settees make good sea berths and dramatically curved seats surround the table. A nav table folds away to add a seat, grabrails are molded into the structure, and details like a leatherlike saddlebag by the companionway and a matching hanging locker that can be taken ashore show the considered approach. Five Lewmar overhead hatches and 12 opening portlights bring light below, and six-and-a-half-foot headroom carries through almost all cabins.

Equipment and Deck Detail

On deck, a husky stainless anchor roller retracts into the foredeck and deploys like a short bowsprit via a manual lift, keeping the bow clean. The removable cockpit table vanishes into a sole locker, and companionway washboards slide down to stack, with the bottom board left in place to keep water out when under way. Below, the genset sits astern of the engine and is reached through panels in both aft cabins, while numerous access panels open every engine maintenance point. Fine leather accessories and an Industrial Nouveau electrical panel round out a cabin that conceals its microwave until sought.

The Verdict

The First 50 is a rare blend of racecourse competence and family cruising comfort, with a structurally thoughtful hull-and-deck package and an interior that punches above its weight in finish. Its dual nature is its signature: quick enough to stay with division leaders, roomy and secure enough for New England coastal exploration.

Pros

Largest and most capable First series design to date, by Philippe Briand with Nauta styling
Solid fiberglass hull with balsa-cored deck and engineered rudder bearings for smooth helm
Easily handled from twin wheels with all lines led aft and an electric winch at the companionway
Bright, well-finished three-cabin interior with practical sea berths and clever stowage

Cons