The First 36 was built for one simple reason: joy in planing.
Not just for weekend escapes, but also for family holidays, club races and every moment in between.
She is the first mainstream planing cruiser where onboard comfort and high-performance sailing no longer require compromise — they are one and the same. With vacuum-infused construction and an innovative design, her deck and interior bring the best of grand prix racing within reach of true sailors like you.
Once the hull lifts and the wake stretches cleanly behind you, you will feel the joy and remember why you sail in the first place.
She is our ultimate planing cruiser and the European Yacht of the Year 2023.
NAVAL ARCHITECT : Samuel Manuard
Design : Lorenzo Argento
Structural engineering : Pure Design & Engineering
Innovation and research : Sito
The moment the First 36 starts to plane, everything changes. Double-digit boat speeds are easy to achieve, always with complete control. This is not a performance reserved for professionals. This is Joy in Planing — accessible, real, and addictive.
The key elements that make this possible are the boat’s light weight and the world-class nautical design of Sam Manuard. An ergonomic and extremely precise steering system is also vital. Race-grade rudder blades and an ergonomic steering system keep the wheels light and direct — downwind at speed, at higher heeling angles, in conditions that would unsettle a heavier boat. Planing is not just fast. On the First 36, it is effortless.
To stay true to its 40 years of Beneteau FIRST heritage, she excels in everything — relaxed family cruising, shorthanded sailing and fully crewed club racing. Cockpit ergonomics was a major focus of the design process. The raised wheel position gives the helmsman direct access to the mainsail winch — a small detail that makes a big difference when you are sailing shorthanded.
Joy in Planing. In complete control.
When you remove your racing gear and take your family cruising or daysailing, cockpit benches with cushions increase the seating area, adding storage space and line organization. The cockpit table is big enough to accommodate a crew of six. Additionally, the design team developed an ultralight swim platform to give sailors easy access to the water without affecting the boat's performance.
Going against the trend, the 36 features a full-sized navigation table. While vital to navigation, it is also a suitable home office. Two portlights in every cabin allow air flow and natural light, while sectional indirect lighting, with a red racing option, illuminates the boat at night. Three cabins with easily accessible full-sized double berths and innovative heads round up the features of this bright and spacious interior.
The wide hull of the BENETEAU First 36 offers a spacious interior comparable to her much larger predecessors. The new First 36 has about the same living volume as the legendary First 40.7.
Simple, comfortable and versatile, the First 36 interior was developed around three-cabin cruising functionality. Its most notable feature is the large central fridge with a removable cutting board, making this sailboat's galley the largest of her class. A corridor created by the foldable and removable table helps sailors move around the saloon safely.
The design team was coordinated by the experienced hand of Kristian Hajnšek, CTO of Seascape, who works closely with the team at BENETEAU to bring race-grade construction technologies into the segment of production racer-cruisers. On top of this exceptionally experienced team, we added an elite international group of designers; all of them are passionate sailors in their own right.
The easiest way to keep your boat safe and ready to cruise anytime.
The new Seanapps app is the ultimate solution to help you indulge your passion for boating. With the touch of your finger, you can easily connect, monitor and order services for your boat – from routine maintenance, to requesting a wash or fuel or having us complete a repair.
The information below is intended for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice and does not constitute a contractual agreement. Any descriptions, representations, or statements made in this document are not to be considered binding unless explicitly stated otherwise in a formal contractual agreement.
Length Overall
36'0"
10.97 m
Beam overall
12'6''
3.8 m
Dry Weight
10,580 lbs
4 800 kg
Draft Min
7'5''
2.25 m
Cabin Number
3
After a double victory at the Baltic 500 and the Brassfahrt, we talk to FIRST 36 sailor Arno Böhnert about fast racing, exclusive insights into his First 36, and tips for beginners.
Introducing the BENETEAU First 36 SE – the ultimate planing racer, born from the collaboration between BENETEAU and Seascape. This is more than just a boat; it’s a mindset. The SE – Seascape Edition badge promises a race-grade sailing experience, backed by the First SE community of passionate sailors.
The First 36 is no ordinary boat. And its creation was not ordinary either: It took four years and the merging of two very different teams. So here's a rare look behind the scene.
Buying a BENETEAU doesn’t have to be a daunting task. We have teams of experts to guide you through the entire process – everything from sea trials, financing, and customization to after-sale commissioning, service, and maintenance. We are proud to have one of the largest, most highly-regarded dealer networks in the world. We’re ready to provide you with the assistance and expertise needed to launch you and your BENETEAU on a lifetime of happy, rewarding, and memorable voyages.
Length Overall
4.3 m / 14’1’’
Beam overall
1.7 m / 5’7’’
Length Overall
7.29 m / 23’ 11’’
Beam overall
2.5 m / 8’ 2’’
Length Overall
9.35 m / 30‘8“
Beam overall
2.99 m / 9‘9“
Length Overall
14.65 m / 48’1’’
Beam overall
4.25 m / 13'11''
Length Overall
17.12 m / 56’2’’
Beam overall
5 m / 16’5’’
Length Overall
18.95 m / 62'2''
