This 32-foot performance-oriented monohull wears its race-derived pedigree openly, from the plumb bow and short fixed sprit to the wide transom, with twin rudders set at its corners.
Design and Construction
Kouyoumdjian’s hand is unmistakable in the contemporary hull form and sailplan. Maximum beam sits well aft, feeding a pronounced chine that runs along the topsides just above the waterline. The very wide transom carries outboard twin rudders.
Below the waterline, a thin, vertical blade keel ends in a very long torpedo bulb. Its 2,403 pounds of lead ballast keeps the center of gravity low without adding freeboard. The hull is solid fiberglass set in polyester, while the deck is an injection-molded, balsa-cored panel. This construction keeps the topsides stiff and reasonably quiet without bloating displacement, which the builder lists at 8,267 pounds.
A stable, rigid stainless-steel tiller gives the helmsman a direct, unmediated link to the corner rudders.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The rig is a fractional sloop with a square-top mainsail. With no backstay or runners, neither the sail’s shape nor its area is constrained by standing rigging. The standard spar is aluminum, although a carbon rig was offered as an option for owners chasing every tenth of a knot.
Wide, swept-back spreaders preclude a big genoa, but the mast is set well aft. The end of the boom hangs directly over the transom, sheeting to a traveler that spans the full width of the stern.
Paired with the buried chine and twin rudders, that arrangement gave test sailors a quite stable helm. Even with an asymmetrical spinnaker flying, the boat tracked well enough that they could let go of the tiller without prompting an instant course change. They found the First 30 quick and fond of reaching and running, topping 7 knots on a close reach with the A-sail up. Close-hauled, however, they noted a big tacking angle of considerably more than 100 degrees.
Under power, the 20-horsepower Yanmar diesel with sail drive moved the boat at 7 knots in calm water at 3,000 rpm. The twin rudders made it easy to back down in a straight line. Because they sit far from the centerline sail drive, however, engine thrust can’t help pivot the stern.
Accommodations and Stowage
The saloon has two three-seater settees facing a drop-leaf table. The table is substantial enough to be useful at anchor, yet easy to remove and leave ashore for racing. The settees fall just short of allowing a six-footer to stretch out.
The forward V-berth has a pinched foot. The aft double looks vast, but a shoulder cutout can make it feel tight when two people share it. Headroom is about six feet.
The galley is light and pleasant, with a pair of gimbaled burners and a considerably sized fridge. Storage is minimal, however, and there’s no room for a full-size oven. The head has a forward-facing toilet, good bracing for use while heeled, and enough space to suit up in foul-weather gear.
A huge starboard locker can swallow a folded inflatable tender, a small outboard, sails, and fenders. The 160-liter fresh water tank sits forward to favor trim.
Practical Equipment and Seaworthiness Details
The First 30 includes plenty of practical features for a boat of this size. There’s a dedicated anchor well forward and a dedicated liferaft locker to port in the cockpit.
The bilge-pump intake strainer is mounted on a length of hose, allowing it to be shifted to leeward when the boat is heeled. It’s a smart detail for clearing water from a listed boat.
The electrical system consists of two 70-ampere-hour batteries. CE certification covers the B6, C8, and D10 categories.
Verdict
The First 30 (Juan K.) is a purposeful 32-foot performer that translates offshore-race thinking into a coastal package. It’s quick, tractable under twin rudders, and cleverly detailed below, but its accommodations favor the short-handed racer-cruiser more than the long-term liveaboard.
Pros
- Contemporary Juan K hull with chine and twin rudders for a stable, gripe-free helm
- Square-top mainsail and full-width traveler provide strong reaching and running speed
- Thoughtful race-cruise compromises, including the removable saloon table, leeward bilge-pump pickup, and dedicated liferaft stowage
Cons
- Wide tacking angle limits close-hauled efficiency compared with a big-genoa rig
- Minimal galley storage and no full-size oven; berths are tight for tall crew or two people sharing
- Outboard rudder placement means engine thrust can’t help pivot the stern
