Introduced in 1977 as one of the earliest models in the highly successful First series, the boat was a revelation when presented at the Paris boat show and became a legendary foundation for the series. It was named Boat of the Year in 1978. The First line it launched has since delivered more than 25,000 boats and remains the gold standard for performance cruising.
Design and Construction
Mauric’s redesign produced a moderate-displacement hull with a fine entry and a transom that balances form stability against reduced drag. The hull carries a fin keel and spade rudder; on the Mauric version, a skeg protects the rudder and gives it a slightly more traditional stance.
Construction is a solid fiberglass layup typical of the late 1970s, with a solid fiberglass hull and deck. The boat measures 29 feet 4 inches overall, with a 25-foot 4-inch waterline and a 9-foot 4-inch beam. Displacement is about 7,600 pounds, including 3,748 pounds of iron ballast. That gives a ballast-to-displacement ratio near 49 percent. The Displacement/Length ratio is around 200, while Sail Area/Displacement is in the mid-teens.
Rig and Handling
The First 30 carries a masthead sloop rig described as simple and forgiving. Its fin-keel-and-spade-rudder or skeg-rudder configurations give the boat a maneuverable footprint underfoot.
A Capsize Screening Formula of roughly 2.0 and a Comfort Ratio near 20 put the First 30 in the performance-cruiser band. Together with its other design ratios, those figures let it feel quick and balanced, though firm rather than plush.
Accommodations
Below, the First 30 sleeps four to six people. Berths include a V-berth forward, two saloon settees, and an aft quarter berth, a layout that makes use of the 9-foot 4-inch beam.
A compact but functional galley, chart table, and enclosed head complete the interior. The accommodations remain in proportion to a 30-foot hull conceived as a do-everything First.
Machinery, Tankage, and Ownership
Bénéteau built 965 Mauric First 30 hulls between 1977 and 1981. The model is numerous enough that spares exist, yet scarce enough to feel like a chosen classic.
A Renault diesel with shaft drive provides auxiliary power. The mechanical package is simple, while tankage is modest: 8 gallons of fuel and 22 gallons of water. Those capacities keep the cruising radius honest.
The Verdict
The Beneteau First 30 (Mauric) proved that a production builder could hand the pencil to an outside naval architect and come away with a legend. It is quick, balanced, and genuinely well accommodated for a 30-foot hull.
Pros
- First Bénéteau designed by an external architect; Mauric rethought the rig, keel, layout, and coachroof
- Legendary launch model for the First series; Boat of the Year in 1978
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck
- Skeg-protected rudder on the Mauric version
- Performance-cruiser ratios: about 49 percent ballast, D/L around 200, and SA/D in the mid-teens
Cons
- Modest tankage—8 gallons of fuel and 22 gallons of water—limits range
- A Comfort Ratio near 20 makes the ride firm rather than plush
