NEW YACHTS

TOBY HODGES ON THE HOTTEST LAUNCHES FOR BOOT DÜSSELDORF BOAT SHOW

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After nearly half a century of First, this performance line of Beneteau continues to gather renewed momentum in its seventh generation with the launch of its largest model to date. Seascape, the Slovenian sportsboat specialists that Beneteau acquired in 2018, has helped to transform the First brand.

It took the fun, fast and easy-to-sail qualities found in Seascape's original 18-27ft Sam Manuard-designed range and applied them to the larger Firsts — readers will know just how impressed we were with the First 30 during our summer 2025 test.

Such is the transformation, co-founder Andraz Mihelin now heads up the entire First range. This 60 is a big new launch in a tricky time for the production yacht market, the largest sailing yacht premiere due to be at boot Düsseldorf.

As well as the Slovenian influence, it sees the French giants once again using all-Italian design in Roberto Biscontini and Lorenzo Argento, who have worked on a number of Beneteau models in recent years.

Biscontini brings his renowned wide, powerful hull shape, which will be styled inside and out by talented former Brenta designer Argento.

Few details had been released as we went to press - indeed these images were released under embargo at the time - so we will report back with more from the show in January.

From what we have gleaned, however, the First 60 will have a performance cruising focus (as opposed to handicap racing ambitions).

The cockpit is divided into sailing, relaxing and dining zones, and it will sport a captive mainsheet to provide push-button control of the powerful mainsail. A performance version of this mainsail is available, which adds an extra 7m² sail area if you take the taller carbon rig.

Pure 42