FIRST 30 ES (BENETEAU - BERRET)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 30.5 ft |
| LWL | 26.97 ft |
| Beam | 10.66 ft |
| Draft | 5.58 ft |
| Displacement | 6,834 lb |
| Ballast | 2,976.2 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.0 kn |
About the FIRST 30 ES (BENETEAU - BERRET)
The FIRST 30 ES was the IOR 1/2 ton racing version with a lead keel and a fractional, keel stepped rig. Best on FIRST EVOLUTION model (1980-10 built), winner of 1981 1/2 Ton Cup. See FIRST 30 E (BENETEAU) for more details.
The Beneteau First 30 ES is a fractional sloop designed by Jean Berret and built by Beneteau (FRA) between 1981 and 1984. With a displacement of 6834.0 lb and a comfort ratio of 16.12, this vessel represents a specific era of French production yachts, though the exact total hulls built remains unverified in the source data.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who prioritize a manageable 30.5 ft LOA and a fractional sloop rig for easier single-handed handling. The relatively light displacement and fin keel configuration suggest it is best suited for protected waters and short offshore passages rather than heavy-weather ocean crossings.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.25 and a D/L ratio of 155.52, the First 30 ES is designed for coastal cruising and lacks the heavy displacement and robust construction typically required for serious bluewater passagemaking.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats from this era include the Beneteau First 30 (non-ES) and the O'Day 30, as they share similar dimensions and target the same market of affordable, performance-oriented coastal cruisers. The fractional rig and beam of 10.66 ft also align it with other late-70s/early-80s European designs like the Bavaria 30.
Direct variant of the FIRST 30 ES (BENETEAU - BERRET)
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(3 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.9 | 5.7 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 60° | 5.1 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 6.7 | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| 75° | 5.3 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.2 |
| 90° | 5.2 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.6 |
| 110° | 5.1 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| 120° | 4.9 | 5.9 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 8.6 |
| 135° | 4.4 | 5.4 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| 150° | 3.7 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 8.3 |
| Beat VMG | 3.3 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Run VMG | 3.2 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 7.7 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 30 ES (BENETEAU - BERRET) yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 30.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the FIRST 30 ES (BENETEAU - BERRET)yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a FIRST 30 ES (BENETEAU - BERRET)? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
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Used sails that fit the FIRST 30 ES (BENETEAU - BERRET)
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