Design and Construction
Manuard’s hull is built around a relatively narrow beam under three meters and a low wetted surface, with weight kept to just over three tonnes through a fully cored, vacuum-infused hull and deck and Seascape’s proven lightweight construction methods fully cored and vacuum-infused hull and deck helps keep it light. A glassfibre composite keel grid carries the cast iron T-keel loads and adds stiffness, while a conventional hull liner with slots for standard plywood bulkheads keeps production quick and cost-effective. Stability and safety come from the modern shape, solid construction, and deep aft-slung twin rudders, and the boat carries ocean-grade Class A certification for open-ocean sailing. With a 35 percent ballast ratio and a 6-foot 6-inch maximum draft, she is built in Slovenia and benefits from Beneteau’s industrial scaling.
Rig and Handling
Two cockpit layouts serve different owners: a cruising version with a mainsail bridle and German sheet system that leaves the cockpit floor completely clean, and a racing layout adding a mainsail traveller with direct fine-tuning mainsheet. Test sailors found the Z-spars mast bends nicely via a well-purchased backstay, and the jib on a furler deploys quickly. Steering is by direct tiller with sturdy moulded foot supports, and twin rudders help the steering retain its grip as the boat heels. On the water the hull is designed to plane quickly and easily; writing in SAIL Magazine, testers called the planing smooth, fast, and exhilarating the planing was, as advertised, smooth, fast, and exhilarating, with the wake separating at around 8.4 knots and speeds of 8 to 13-plus knots under spinnaker. She heels a lot upwind and can still feel a little tender, and when feathered above a close-hauled course she stalls and parks. The builder claims she can plane in 13–14 knots true wind.
Accommodations
Below decks the First 30 is a two-cabin cruising yacht with a puristic yet cosy interior providing spacious accommodation for four. A generously sized front cabin and saloon berths compare to her larger sister, the First 36, and the forward cabin has a good double berth with a large hatch above. The saloon benches sleep two at two meters with folding outboard backrests, and a sturdy table seats six. A step up in the saloon and step down in the galley yield 1.81 meters of standing headroom at the companionway; the galley is practical with a two-burner hob, sink, fold-down extension, and optional fridge, while the heads has a long rail over a deep well for wet gear. Foldable magnetic doors and removable textile lockers keep the fitout minimalist, with painted GRP and cork in the aft galley. The aft cabin is more constricted with little inboard headroom below the cockpit.
Known Issues
Practical access to machinery is mixed. Companionway steps lift 90 degrees to reach engine essentials such as oil, impeller, and belt, but with no other access panels, changing gearbox oil and oil filter can prove frustrating. Access to the steering gear on each side is only through small aft openings in the locker and the port quarter berth, which is constricted. Testers also noted the finish is minimal in some areas and interior stowage is a little scant.
Refits and Ownership
The First 30 monitors systems through the Seanapps mobile app and onboard unit, viewing battery, fuel, and water status. The cruising and racing cockpit options let an owner choose clean handling or a tuned race workspace, and the generous cockpit locker houses a water separation filter with room for an inflatable and a sail. One hundred were sold before the US debut, underscoring early demand for Manuard’s planing cruiser.
The Verdict
The First 30 distills high-performance planing into an accessible, Category A-certified 30-footer with genuine cruising amenities and clever weight-saving construction. She is a focused tool for active sailors who want technical, fast days afloat rather than a conventional coastal weekender.
Pros
- Planes easily with twin-rudder grip and low wetted surface
- Two-cabin interior with clever magnetic doors and saloon berths rivaling the First 36
- Ocean-grade Class A certification in a light, infusion-built hull
Cons
- Limited engine access beyond companionway steps frustrates gearbox service
- Aft cabin headroom and overall stowage are tight
- Tiller steering and tender feel upwind suit experienced hands
