This is the final and last boat I bring from this year´s Boot Duesseldorf boat show and it´s a world premiere. After I´ve stated in my last article that I found the First 36 SE to being the coolest yacht on display in 2026, this one may be one of the most anticipated boats at the River Rhine. Yet also one of the boats where you cannot really say whether you´ll be celebrating or just hunch your shoulders and carry on. At least that was it for me and I will happily explain what I mean.
So, coming to the Beneteau booth on the first day of the show, there was apparently a he boat wrapped in silver canvas: Hidden from the view of the public, the shipyard staged a little nice unveiling event for the world´s yachting press and most important journalists. After all, this new First 60 was to be the biggest First ever launched by Beneteau in their whole production history. And a performance 60-footer is indeed, other than a cruiser of this size, kind of a big step for a shipyard.
Versatile hulls: Beneteau´s trick
Why is that? Well, up to now the 50 to 55 foot-range marked the end of the yard´s capabilities in terms of performance sailing yachts. Not because it´s technically harder to produce ships in that size, but because of the market (especially the customers in that market, and their demands). For Beneteau however, technically speaking, it was a no-brainer and logical consequence: They had demonstrated this with the First 53 a couple of years before.
As for the hull, the interior layout and the subsequent production steps behind everything, the base is Roberto Biscontini´s powerful hull design. This hull is so versatile that it works perfectly well as base for an all-out luxury cruising yacht, which is to become the Oceanis Yacht 54, or it can be utilized to be a quick, high-level performance boat, which would then be the First 53. As for the new 60-footer, the shipyard just switched the order and launched the cruiser first, followed by the racer now, a couple of years later.
It makes sense as both customer-groups will benefit from this strategy: The cruising sailor receives a yacht that not only sails fast and is fun to ride with, it also looks darn sexy! The skipper looking for a powerful, quick yacht received exactly what he wants, but at a reasonable price as of course Beneteau even in this high level client-class of +50-footers offers yachts substantially cheaper than the usual top dogs. At least for the First 53 and Oceanis Yacht 54 this strategy pays off just nicely with order books filled.
A fireworks of the standard basic equipment
Now, launching a 60-feet yacht is a bit different. Because buying, and for most part even more owning a boat that is almost 20 meters long asks for a different kind of customer. People who can afford yachts that big will simply expect a very different quality. As I said initially, the new First 60 will remain a Beneteau – decently built series production quality. So that´s a challenge. The shipyard reacts by really reaching into the upper shelf when it comes to equipping the yacht.
The most prominent feature is the massive boom-furling mainsail. There are two rigging versions available. The standard comes with a black lacquered tapered aluminum mast, three spreaders, deck-stepped with a 105 square meters mainsail. If you want to cash in from Biscontini´s powerful hull the most, upgrade to the Axxon carbon mast. This tapered big rig will safe about 100 kilograms and being 1.10 meters higher, you´ll be able to raise a 112 square meters mainsail. That said, from the furling boom.
As for the mainsail´s sheet, Beneteau came up with the idea to get rid of a possible mid-cockpit mainsail winch (as you can have in the First 53). Instead, the line disappears underneath the cockpit floor. It´s operated by a powerful sheet captive winch by pushing buttons on the helmsman panel. I´ve checked for you (cause that was one of my first thoughts – “what will be if the winch fails?”) that you can easily re-route the sheet to one of the Harken Performa genoa- or gennaker-winches and your mainsail trimming jury rigged. There are many such little nice things scattered around the cockpit: The base equipment list of the First 60 is pretty impressive in that respect.
Cockpit layout: Greetings from Seascape
Which brings us to the general cockpit situation. I indeed knew that a First 60 was coming for several months in advance. And believe me, I´ve tried to publish a nice little teasing article about this boat´s inception, but for obvious PR- and strategic reasons, they didn´t let me. One of these cool stories would have been the development of the First 60 deck, which was done not in France by Beneteau, but in Slovenia at Seascape.
Under the supervision of Andraz Mihelin, the project group had the task of coming up with a new deck. Again, the same principle as with the First 53/Oceanis Yacht 54: Hull and cabin layout remains the same, deck and details are changed. As for the First 60, the differences between the cruising yacht and this performance boat couldn´t be bigger! Indeed, where the Oceanis Yacht 60 is clearly made to accommodate many, many people to provide for a perfect yacht vacation, the cockpit of the First 60 is kind of “reduced” to maximize sailing fun.
You will be able to enjoy the full width of the massive hull, but nothing obstructs the view. It´s been kept “empty” from everything for the most part. The whole rear section just comes with the two steering posts, that´s it! No seats, no coamings no nothing. Just a lot of free space. This reminds me of Maxi-racers and maybe the smaller Wally boats. Now, for this project, Andraz and his team came up with a pretty nice idea. In the picture above you can see the helmsman´s seats nicely integrated into the yacht´s sides. Those will be pivoting according to the heeling angle of the yacht, making it more comfy to sit whilst steering.
Also, the “winch islands” for the secondary winches are located nicely: The winch for the 67 square meters self-tacker or the 84 square meters genoa may be operated from the helm posts or by your crew mates, working at these positions. The winches are mounted apart from each other that they could be operated by two people or one. It may look like a little thing, but is indeed a nice feature as this mounting allows for a varying setup of crew-positions. I talked to Andraz about the development of the cockpit and the whole deck.
In fact, this first prototype had not only been developed in Slovenia, but was also built there. A huge, almost 19 meters long GRP structure, utilizing both Balsa wood and PET-foam as sandwich material, made with vacuum infusion technology. Sadly, no pictures available, also not from the adventurous road transport of that huge part to France – in the midst of the ravaging winter.
Sportive sailing for the “gentleman racer”
So, who´s the target group for a boat like this? As Beneteau says, it´s the “gentleman racer” who seeks sailing sensations, speed and fun, but isn´t necessarily engaged in high-class racing or even “serious” racing. Because, this yacht still is a Beneteau and certainly not an all-out racing machine. And I can totally see it: More and more people are using their yachts in a weekend-mode with the annual big multi-week trip. Even large yachts like this 60-footer are more and more becoming daysailers.
In this, you might not need the full cruising set-up with wet bar, BBQ-station, large seating areas and sunbathing mattresses for the whole family. Maybe you want t sail alone, with your partner or just your best two buddies? That´s where the First 53 and now the First 60 come into play: A huge, luxurious yacht that can be sailed like a dinghy. Have fun, a couple hours of quick dashes around the bay, a fun regatta or even stuff like Fastnet and Middle Sea Race, but maybe not as “serious” as the professionals would do. Of course, in this, the First 60 still offers decent lounge area, reclining sofas and cockpit luxury …
Below deck: It´s a true First!
I can totally see that there are definitely people who will like this concept. Who don´t want to invest in a true all-out racing machine or the upper brand´s budgets. And of course, those people want to have some decent luxury below decks, so let´s go down and take a look. As I have said before, the general layout of the First 60 is the same as for the Oceanis Yacht 60. It´s a three-cabin yacht (with three bathrooms), with a nice big two-part salon and the crosswise fitted galley at the main forward bulkhead.
Going down the entryway ladder, you´ll be embraced by Lorenzo Argento´s interpretation of the First-style, but put to a 60-footer level. You may check out my POV-walkthrough in the First 36 again and notice the similarities between those two. Argento took the First-color scheme, which consists of white, Teak and earthly tones, and added a restrained grey. Also, he introduced new colors, as you may see within the cushions. In this, the interior of the new First 60 may be largely the same as the one inside the cruising-version, but it looks totally different!
To safe weight and focus on the “sportive” use of the yacht, some things had been removed from the First 60. That´s for example the modular dining table in the dinette. The one in the First 60 is fixed, one sized. Same goes for the cockpit tables, by the way. Also, the lounging areas vis-à-vis has been re-shaped, stowage removed. Instead, it´s a nice little 3-seater that can be turned into a rectangular “playground”.
Do I like this interior? Well, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder for sure and thus my assessment can only be my humble little opinion. I certainly wouldn´t choose the fabric used for the cushions in the yacht on display! That color just simply isn´t my taste, but of course, the options list provides for a full set of colors, fabric qualities and different materials. I generally like the color scheme, but the amount of ALPI-Teak – in my eyes – kind of makes the boat a bit too dark for me. I would have gone for more white, maybe tried a different kind of floor. But yes: It´s a First, clearly she integrates herself quite nicely into the row of yachts from the First 30 over the 36 and 53.
Highlight of the boat … owner´s suite.
I don´t want to spend to much time in here, but when talking about the 60-footers of the current Beneteau setup, you cannot spare the owner´s suite. You may check my walkthrough of the Oceanis Yacht 60 if you want to see or know more, but for now: This is the true highlight of the yacht´s interior! The layout and design is truly unique and really something special that sets apart this yacht from any other 60-footer I know. And I don´t mean only in view of the series production boats.
The owner´s cabin features a large, true island bed that is “detached” from any neighboring cabins. Usually, you´d be sleeping reversed to the sailing direction. On this yacht, you “face” the boat´s course. By taking away the bed from the forward bulkhead, you won´t be sleeping wall-to-wall with your boat captain or skipper, listening to each other´s snoring (or even much more private sounds …). That´s a real advantage!
Also, the backside of this bed isn´t the bulkhead separating you from the salon. Instead, behind the bed is the large owner´s bathroom, which functions as another layer of “audio-insulation”. This makes for a huge increase of privacy. The entry door is on the boat´s port side, so nobody can get a glimpse into the cabin from the salon. It´s really a very different feeling and I know from some owners (of the cruising version) how much they appreciate this level of comfort. Again, please
A Solaris-killer?
well. No. She is basically a pimped, in some areas pumped-up, in some areas stripped, sailing yacht of 60 feet based on the versatile and powerful hull of the Oceanis Yacht 60. No, she is definitely not the awesome big new thing you might had expected. I can very vividly remember how the then-new First 53 had been introduced and some journalists were a bit “disappointed” not to see an aggressive negative bow and trendy hard-chined luxury IMOCA. But that´s not Beneteau. These yachts ought to be considered beautiful or modern even in 15 or 20 years. Which definitely is a feature of Firsts: The legendary First 40 or 36.7 are old boats, but still “recent” in many aspects.
No, the new First 60 definitely isn´t as “exciting” as a Neo, she isn´t as extravagant as a Solaris and she won´t kill a Grand Soleil either. She´s not made to. The magic word is accessibility for this yacht. You see, buying and having a performance yacht in 60 feet built is indeed a semi-custom or full custom project! Apart from the budget, this is a completely different experience than “just” choosing your equipment and packs from a manageable options-list. In this, the Beneteau First 60 might have an edge for people who come from a 50- or 55-footer, wishing to upgrade to Maxi-yacht size. It´s a series production boat, ordered and built as easy as your last one.
Besides, there´s currently only the Solaris 60 and the Grand Soleil 60 considered as direct competition for this yacht. Here´s the good news: The First 60 will demand for a budget up to 30 percent less than the one needed for either of the Italian brands. Sure, a Beneteau is a Beneteau and a Solaris is a Solaris, but saving a third of the money for a luxury yacht that is “only” used as a weekender … I can see that there might be many people attracted to this. If this biggest First ever can achieve as many sold units as her slightly smaller sister, only time will tell.
You might as well be interested in these articles:
Modest luxury: Grand Soleil 52 walkthrough
Shift of paradigm for Solaris? The new 55.
Meet the Oceanis Yacht 60
