beneteau first 27.7 sailboatdata

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Beneteau First 27 review: sportsboat given the Beneteau treatment

• Rupert Holmes
• June 20, 2022

Has Beneteau managed to turn a niche sportsboat into a fun cruiser? Rupert Holmes sails the Beneteau First 27 to find out

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

The original version of the Sam Manuard-designed Seascape 27 (now branded as the Beneteau First 27 SE) has long been one of my favourite small yachts. In 2014 I sailed the prototype in Slovenia on a gusty winter’s day with the wind varying from 12-22 knots. Downwind with a big kite it was absolutely exhilarating, with speed hovering at 13-15 knots and occasionally hitting 17.5 in the stronger puffs.

Yet this was not an edge-of-control ride – the boat handled as though it was on rails, with heaps of reserve in the rudders, even when pressed hard. Given more time we could have enjoyed wonderful downwind sailing for 200 miles or more to Split or Dubrovnik, then put the boat on a road trailer for the upwind return leg.

So why change a winning formula? Quite simply, not everyone wants a boat that’s as optimised for speed: creature comforts and simplicity are also important factors. Hence Beneteau’s adaptation to create what’s now called the First 27 (without the SE designation).

Key changes include a shorter aluminium mast with pinhead mainsail, a fixed fin keel with torpedo bulb and 30cm less draught, plus an inboard diesel engine.

The cockpit benches in the forward part of the cockpit are also new and create a more comfortable cruising style, especially with the optional cockpit cushions. They also provide easily accessible on-deck stowage, in addition to the big lazarette.

The interior is brighter, more spacious and more civilised, thanks in part to the lack of a box for the lifting keel, although you still have to step over the frames in the bottom of the boat and there’s no standing headroom.

The Beneteau First 27 has berths for four, plus cooking and heads facilities, but there’s no standing headroom

There are berths for four, including two comfortable settee/quarter berths in the saloon, plus a double in the forepeak and enough space to stow kitbags. The central folding table can also be used in the cockpit.

Between the saloon and forepeak there’s a small galley to port and toilet to starboard. This is neatly arranged, with the latter closed off, except while in use, when the galley units are then similarly concealed.

Sail area is also reduced compared to the original, by a little under 20% upwind and 13% downwind. At the same time, the inboard engine and other changes add to displacement, which is 300kg higher – a significant 21% increase.

Sailing the Beneteau First 27

On paper this looks like a potential disaster, but the reality is different. I sailed the new Beneteau First 27 in Barcelona a few months ago in very light airs, with only 3.5-6.5 knots of true wind and three of us on board. These were perfect conditions to discover whether the boat lacks power.

Close-hauled in 4 knots of true wind we only managed 2.8 knots of boat speed, but the boat came alive in just 5 knots of breeze when it accelerated to four knots, rising further to 4.5 of boat speed in 6 knots true. When fully powered up, maintaining 6 knots upwind shouldn’t be a problem – this is therefore a model that should out-sail many much larger cruising yachts on all points of sail.

Beneteau’s First 27 is fast, predictable and great fun to sail

Bearing away onto a beam reach, we set the nylon furling gennaker, initially in 3.5 knots of breeze which gradually built to 6 knots. Boat speed throughout matched the wind speed. Bearing away further to a true wind angle of 120° on our return to harbour we maintained 5.5 knots of speed in 6.5 knots of true wind.

The helm was super light throughout, with the boat beautifully responsive both to accurate sail trim and to distribution of crew weight. In the very light airs at the start of our test, sitting to leeward and shuffling forward had a noticeable effect on both the feel in the helm and speed.

A boat that’s so responsive adds significantly to both the fun factor and the sense of satisfaction you get from sailing, which was a welcome change for me at the end of a week testing 45-60ft yachts. However, the Beneteau First 27 has more than enough inherent stability that it’s not dependent on crew weight for this, so you can sit wherever is most comfortable or convenient.

The Beneteau First 27 is light on the helm and easily driven

Historically one of the downsides of small boats like this has often been when conditions get tough. However, this boat can be pushed far harder than most owners would contemplate, so the boat will remain safe in this respect, even if caught out in more challenging conditions than expected.

One drawback though, is the relatively short stanchions and pushpits. While they meet all the regulations for a boat of this size, a full height rail would give a better feeling of security.

The inboard engine is a 15hp with shaft drive. It’s a powerful unit for such an easily driven hull, but was chosen as it’s the smallest model that satisfies the emissions requirements of the USA’s Environmental Protection Agency.

Seven knots at cruising revs is easily attained and at full throttle we left the stern wave behind and accelerated to 10 knots! This makes it a very interesting option for a weekender, or even a quick summer evening sail, where the ability to return quickly to base is an imperative.

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This is an appealing fast cruiser that stands out for a number of reasons. Its sailing qualities promise far more satisfaction for daysailing and weekend jaunts than most cruisers can offer. Although compact, the interior is welcoming and provides for all basic needs. And it’s a boat that will be very easy to look after. It’s therefore an interesting option for someone who usually sails in the sun, whether on their own boat or with others, but wants a capable and fun yacht to keep near home for daysails, weekends and occasional longer trips. Indeed it’s clearly cross-Channel capable in decent weather and in experienced hands, with the potential for a fast passage in the right weather. Compared to the SE version, this offers the benefits of simplicity, comfort and the convenience, without sacrificing the key ethos of a boat that’s enormously enjoyable and satisfying to sail.

First 27.7 Beneteau

The first 27.7 beneteau is a 29.04ft fractional sloop designed by groupe finot and built in fiberglass by beneteau since 2002..

The First 27.7 Beneteau is a light sailboat which is a very high performer. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a racing boat. The fuel capacity is originally very small. There is a very short water supply range.

First 27.7 Beneteau for sale elsewhere on the web:

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• Sailboat Guide

Beneteau First 27.7

Beneteau First 27.7 is a 29 ′ 0 ″ / 8.9 m monohull sailboat designed by Jean Marie Finot (Groupe Finot) and built by Beneteau starting in 2002.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Fixed keel version: 1.8m/5.91’

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First 27.7 S

• Description

Specifications

A new style interior and ever greater comfort

Naval designer :  Groupe Finot

EXTERIOR DESIGN

INTERIOR DESIGN

1977-2022: The Story of the Firsts

With more than 25,000 boats built since 1977, the First line celebrates its 45th anniversary this year and it is still the gold standard of performance cruising.

Beneteau services

With teams for sea trials, financing, customization, events, an after-sales service, and a network of dealers worldwide, BENETEAU delivers the help and expertise every boat owner needs throughout his boating life maintaining an enduring customer relationship.

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Length Overall

Beam overall

FIRST 21.7 S

6.4 m / 20’12’’

2.48 m / 8’2’’

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Beneteau First 27 SE / Seascape 27

The Pocket Performance Cruiser

On this page I try to gather all information on the Slovenian-built Seascape 27 aka Beneteau First 27 SE which, starting in January 2021 was my new sailboat after I have sold the King´s Cruiser 33 to a new owner mid-2020. The GEKKO is now sold to another young skipper late 2022.

The First 27 is a Sam Manuard-Design and has first hit the water in the year 2011. The boat was conceived by Andraz Mihelin and his Seascape team to blend their Mini Transat offshore-experience with a bigger, cruising-capable, trailer-ready fast sailboat which should be prone to winning races. I´ve talked to Andraz Mihelin on the development of this boat – read the article here .

Up to now more than 150 units have been made and sold, which makes up for some 15 per cent of Seascape´s annual production.

I went for the First 27 after a long process of decision making which boat to buy and what for. After opting for a big, aluminium made oceanic cruiser which was meant to serve as platform for a TV-project and the first, brutal developments of the Corona-crisis early 2020 I decided too skip the “big project” for some time and instead go for a smaller boat . Originally opting for the Oceanis 30.1 , as well made by Beneteau, I ended up to choose the First 27 for these reasons:

• Priceworthiness:  The boat boasts high building quality (vacuum infusiuon) and top-notch equipment (Carbon-Rigging, Laminate sails, Ronstan fittings to name a few) for a comparatively moderate price
• Trailerable:  The boat is area-independent and can be towed anywhere a car can drive to – no need for a fixed berth or to determine a certain sailing area
• Fast sailing:  As I have not much free time to spend, I want to cover longer stretches when sailing – being able to move quicker is the solution
• Micro cruising:  Less is more. I tend to try to simplify things to a minimum. The First 27 urges me to improve these skills both in the demands of living standards and in equipment

My First 27 was the last unit to be delivered with One Sails laminate garments but the First so-called “SE”-boat. “SE” stands for “Seascape edition” which is basically the original Seascape with carbon, laminate and “thrills”. There is another plain “First” launched end-2020 which comes with Aluminium-rigging, Dacron sails, bachstays, fixed keel and a small galley. You may read a dedicated article about the differences of both boats soon.

First 27 SE by Seascape: The Boat

The Seascape-built First 27 has a small but very dedicated and loyal clientel as well. The boat is mostly sold to the Adriatic, Germany and mid-European countries. I know of at least 5 German owners to whome I have talked beforehand the purchase and not a single one tried to advise me against buying the boat: “If you can deal with the small size of the boat, she is a blast!” – that has mostly been the comment.

Technical data. The main technical data of this sailing boat are listed here.

Length over all (Loa)                      26.21 ft . / 7.99 metres

Beam                                                 8 ft. 4 inches / 2.54 metres

Draft                                                  6 ft. 7 inches / 2.00 metres

Mast length                                      35 ft. 9 inches / 10.90 metres

This boat has a displacement of 1.45 tons and offers a very stable weight/ballast ratio of 42 % which makes for a a strong righting moment. The ballast weight is 610 kilograms in a swing keel that is moved by electro-hydraulic means.

Sailplan. The First 27 SE comes in standard configuration with a full Cabon-mast and boom. Lines of the running rigging are provided by high quality Robline-products. The boat can be eqipped with the full set of sails, for delivery I chose to go for the standard three-sails-configuration, which is North Sails (as mentioned above, my own boat is the last one that comes with One Sails. I will post a dedicated article on possible differences of these two brands)

Mainsail                             280 sq.ft. / 26 sq.metres

Jib                                        226 sq.ft. / 21 sq.meters

Gennaker                           861 sq.ft. / 8 0 sq.metres

That makes it to a combined total max. upwind sail area of 506 sq.ft. / 47 sq.metres

SA/D ratio                           37.4

Yardstick Handicap          88 to 91 (depending)

When mostly used in races the boat is driven with a classic Jib on job hanks, I went for the cruising- and single handed sailing-friendly furling-option for the Genoa. For the boat even more fractional Gennakers, storm sails and variants of all types are available.

Engine. Being a small boat the First 27 is porposed to be driven by an outboard engine of some 10 hp. In this, the company offers a Tohatsu internal compustion engine. I opted to go for the all-electric alternative also offered by Beneteau, which is a Torqeedo Cruise 4.0 configuration. The advantages for me are clear: Same power without the compustion downsides: Stinking, toxic odors of gasoline, no carburetor-works – just “plug & play” .

The engine is suspened in a moving mount in the middle of the cockpit which makes the shaft and the screw retractable. It´s a bit of a hazzle to clear the engine for use, but on the other hand there is neither a screw nor a shaft hampering the hull´s flow through the water whatsoever when retracted. A whole detailled article on the engine-configuration of the First 27 will be posted soon, as well articles on the energy management and solar power-array of the boat.

Building quality & construction. The boat is manufactured utilizing vacuum infusion technology for both hull and deck. One bulkhead near the mast stand will make for lateral stiffness, some stringers moulded into the hull add longitudinal stiffness. The boat has a CE B category certification for up to 6 people and a CE C for 8 people. A buoy element of 3 cubicmetres will make for better survivability in case of distress at sea.

Interior Appearance. A Seascape/First 27 is not a cruiser in the sense of the word as this boat is conceived for fast racing and minimal cruising comforts. I´ve developed the term #microcruising for this kind of approaching comforts at sea. Nevertheless, the First 27 offers 4 berths for adults of which two are situated in the fore cabin, two more on the side bunks in the saloon.

Design and Comfort: The First 27 / Seascape 27 is a “pure” sailboat. The makers haven´t taken any efforts to make this boat “comfortable” in a cruising sense. no wooden surfaces or panels at all. The boat is painted in plain white top-coat. The flooring is a light grey rubber/foam material. I am going to have this replaced with a more significant material soon. Buyers may choose from a variety of colors for the cushions and the – ingenious – hanging bags which is the only colorful touch of indibvidualism you might add to your boat by the yard.

I like that approach as it reminds me on other “pure” or “no frills” sailboat-makers like Pogo or – in wider sense – JPK of France. In the end, less stuff by the yard opens up a wide range of possibilities by the owners.

Hygiene & WC:  I opted for the First 27 because of this one fact too which is missing in my list above – there is a proper marine toilet with a sealable “room” aboard which greatly improves cruising capabilities. Relieving oneself is a basic human necessity and as I do not like myself or my kids, let alone guests or ladies, peeing into a Port-a-potty (in the middle of the salon), this was the only small boat offering it. The WC can be closed off by folding magnetic doors which also act for closing the forepeak from the salon.

Regarding the rest of personal hygiene, there isn´t much. There is no sink, no fresh water, no galley. In the “Alu-version” there will be a very small solution, but not in the “SE” Carbon rocket. I will work out a portable solution provide the WC of my boat with at least a small sink or possibility to wash one´s hands after using the WC. This will also be a set of detailled articles in the Yacht Upgrade & Refit-section .

Stowage: The First 27 has six hanging bags which are a very unique and ingenious concept. You take the empty bags home, pack them with your clothes and hang them into the boat. no wasting of precious interior volume for stowing away big travel bags or suitcases. Then there is a small cooling compartment (which I haven´t ordered with a fidge-unit) under one of the steps of the entryway and two big compartments under the salon´s benches. We will see if this is sufficient, I would reckon yes.

I´ve come to order two “bean bags” for the First 27 as well because these are great when at anchor or at the jetty to lay down, recline and enjoy boat life. Other than that, the bpat is pretty “naked” and the yard leaves it upto the owner to configure and equip the sailboat to every single skipper´s needs.

Boat upgrade projects

In this, I naturally have some projects in the pipeline to upgrade my boat to a standard I find fit for #microcruising, these are in particular:

• Replace interior flooring – read full articles here and here
• Fit fake Teak-flooring panels (EVA-foam) to cockpit  – read full articles here, here and here
• Fit a larger solar-power array – work in progress, see here and here and here
• #microcruising -approved galley

… to be continued.