FIRST 60, Beneteau unveils its new sporty flagship

Beneteau chose a symbolic and highly theatrical moment, the Boot Düsseldorf show, to unveil the brand-new First 60, presented to the public on the opening day of Europe’s most important indoor boat show. It was a highly anticipated debut that immediately captured the attention of owners, professionals, and enthusiasts: not only because it is the largest boat ever built in the sporty First line, but because this 60-footer represents a true statement of intent about Beneteau’s vision for the future of sailing.

The First 60 draws on and reinterprets fifty years of experience and heritage from the French shipyard, projecting them into a modern and bold vision of sailing. It is the flagship of a range now made up of seven models – from the 5.50-meter First 18 to this 17.60-meter fast cruiser – and forms part of a series that remains unique in today’s market for its design coherence and breadth of offering.

An Italian project for the First 60 flagship

As with the First 44 and First 53, the First 60 is the result of the well-established collaboration between Roberto Biscontini Yacht Design, responsible for the naval architecture, and Lorenzo Argento, who designed the overall concept. This design duo ensures stylistic and conceptual continuity: the family feeling is immediately recognizable, with a dynamic yet balanced silhouette, clean lines, and a harmonious integration between hull and deck, where aesthetics and functionality work together without compromise.

The hull lines have been optimized to deliver stability and speed across a wide range of conditions, with the aim of providing an engaging helming experience without sacrificing the comfort required for long-range cruising. In this sense, the First 60 perfectly embodies the dual soul of the range: sporty performance and the pleasure of life on board.

A cockpit redesigned for performance and ergonomics

It is in the cockpit that the new First 60 shows the most evident differences compared to its smaller sisters. The large sheet winches, now mounted on independent pedestals, allow the crew to work from multiple positions, improving ergonomics and trimming efficiency. This solution is designed both for sporty sailing and for use with a reduced crew, with the option of electric operation.

The two steering stations, largely free-standing, give the helmsman great freedom of movement and allow easy access to the winches even when sailing solo. A refined and far from secondary detail is the fold-down helmsman seats, designed to ensure a relaxed posture during long passages.

From a technical standpoint, the adoption of a captive winch for the mainsheet stands out, a solution that allows precise and automated trimming while reducing bulk and physical effort. The management of the running rigging is concentrated in the so-called central “Winch Island”, which clearly separates operational areas from those dedicated to relaxation. Completing the setup is a Park Avenue–style boom, which simplifies mainsail handling and makes the boat easy to sail even with a small crew.

The cockpit layout of the Beneteau First 60 introduces a particularly advanced functional division for this market segment. Spaces are organized into three distinct areas: the aft sailing area around the helms and control systems; the central dining area with generous seating and a dedicated table; and finally the forward relaxation area, designed to offer comfort and tranquility away from working lines. This solution improves livability both underway and at anchor, reinforcing the identity of the First 60 as a new-generation fast cruiser.

A premium experience from configuration to after-sales

Alongside the design and construction aspects, Beneteau has also introduced a dedicated support protocol for the First 60. Owners can rely on the Premium Service, which accompanies them from the initial configuration phase, through construction, and into the after-sales period, with continuous monitoring of the yacht’s entire life cycle. This approach reflects the shipyard’s experience in managing large yachts and further strengthens the model’s positioning at the high end of the market.

“The brand-new First 60 elegantly completes the seventh generation of the legendary range – said Andraz Mihelin, Head of the First line at Beneteau – While it is designed to be highly customizable, it remains firmly anchored to First’s core values: design, elegance, seaworthiness, simplicity, and connection. The true purpose of our boats is to bring joy to sailors”. And looking closely at the First 60 in Düsseldorf, it is hard not to think that this goal has been fully achieved.