Beneteau launched its first Spirit yacht, the First Spirit 300, in 1992. Having phased out the First Spirit line around 20 years’ ago, the French boatbuilder has now resurrected the historic yacht line with the new First 36 Spirit planing cruiser.
The First 36 Spirit is based on the established First 36 platform and has been developed as a lightweight planing cruiser intended to combine responsive sailing with a simplified onboard layout. The vacuum-infused hull displaces 4,620kg and is designed to plane in moderate wind rather than push through the water.
The yacht uses twin rudders with CNC-milled Corecell cores, intended to provide control and direct response from the helm. Sailing controls have been arranged for small crews, with an ergonomic deck layout and robust deck equipment intended to support both short-handed sailing and family use.
Below deck, the First 36 Spirit has been designed around a balance of comfort and simplicity. The accommodation includes three cabins, a spacious saloon and a single heads, with durable worktops, removable magnetic doors and open lockers with hanging rails and retaining nets.
The compact heads includes a foldable sink to free up space, while the overall interior approach is intended to retain the practical character of a planing cruiser rather than add unnecessary complexity.
Passionate sailors
The design team includes naval architect Samuel Manuard, designer Lorenzo Argento and SITO, with the project led by the team at Seascape.
“It is a real pride to have the iconic First Spirit back within Beneteau’s range, with this new First 36 Spirit,” said Thibaut de Montvalon, director Beneteau Sailing and CSO sailing division at Groupe Beneteau.
“At Beneteau we are a community of passionate sailors. And our passion is fuelled by our ability to design and market sailing boats that will share our love for sailing with others.”
“This is what First Spirit means: joy, simplicity, no artefacts. In a world and age that often feels complex, First Spirit offers simple and authentic sailing to share our passion and expand our community.”
Andraž Mihelin, chief executive of Seascape and First Range manager, said the project was shaped by the idea that ‘joy often hides in simplicity’.
He said the team took the standard First 36 through another round of ‘simplify, then add lightness’, asking what could be removed, refined or made more intuitive.
The First 36 Spirit is scheduled to be showne at boot Düsseldorf in January 2027.
