NEW Beneteau First 36 Spirit – SIMPLY SAILING

01/10/2026

After a hiatus of more than thirty years, Beneteau is bringing back the “Spirit” name. The new First 36 Spirit is a planing cruiser that makes the joy of planing accessible to more sailors. Everything superfluous has been left out.

When everything unnecessary is stripped away, you begin to feel the boat’s balance beneath the sails, the helm, and the deck—where every detail serves a purpose. Over time, your movements become instinctive. The boat is no longer something to be tamed, but rather an extension of your own senses. According to Beneteau, the essence of sailing isn’t about having more, but about feeling more.

The name returns. 1992. In [year], Beneteau gave this feeling a name: Spirit. The first boat to bear this name, the First Spirit 300, was designed for sailors who knew exactly what a boat needed—and what it didn’t. The name disappeared, the sailors remained, and the technology evolved. Now the name returns in the form of the First 36 Spirit, whose motto is “Simply Sailing.”

Sailing Characteristics. The First 36 Spirit is based on the proven, stable , and safe platform of the First 36 . In light winds, the boat responds to even the slightest shift in the wind. As the wind picks up, the ultra-light vacuum-infused hull begins to plane in moderate winds: the boat no longer pushes the water ahead of it, but glides over it. The boat’s displacement is just 4,620 kg.

Wheels and deck. Special attention has been paid to the two rudder blades, which feature a CNC-milled Corecel core. They are durable and lightweight, providing the sailor with safety, control, and a direct connection to the boat. All controls are designed for a small crew. As a result, the deck layout is ergonomic, and some deck equipment is larger than usual. The boat is a pleasure to sail even at two-person speeds, whether it’s an evening sail after work or a longer trip with family, friends, or on your own.

The First 36 Spirit isn’t there just for you. It sails alongside you.

Interior. Under deck you will find that unique combination of comfort and simplicity that is the signature of a modern planingcruiser. All elements are thought through, designed, engineered and distilled, until only what matters remains. The three-cabin layout, spacious salon and single head provide everything needed for a comfortable life on board… but not more. Durable worktops, easily removable magnetic doors, innovative open lockers in every cabin with a hanging rail and retaining net. Even the compact head earns its place with a clever foldable sink that returns more space than you would expect.
Cozy. Honest. Light. The kind of interior a sailor steps into and immediately understands.

The Team. The boat was created by lifelong sailors and renowned designers:

Naval architect: Samuel MANUARD
Exterior Designer: Lorenzo ARGENTO
Structural Engineering: PURE DESIGN & ENGINEERING
The Seascape team, which was responsible for the concept and development in collaboration with Beneteau.

The boat was not designed based on its exterior appearance. It was created based on moments experienced at the helm, on the cabin stairs, and at sea.

The durability of the First series is also confirmed by The First 30, which was awarded the title of European Performance Cruiser of 2026 .

What the creators say

Thibaut de Montvalon, Director Beneteau Sailing, CSO Sailing Division, Groupe Beneteau: »It is a real pride to have the iconic First Spirit back within BENETEAU’s range, with this new First 36 Spirit! 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, CEO Seascape, First Range Manager: »Working on the First 36 Spirit was particularly special for me because it connects so closely with something I personally believe in: that joy often hides in simplicity. She was born from the understanding that the balance between too much, too little, and just enough is different for every sailor. So we took the standard First 36 through another round of “simplify, then add lightness” and kept asking ourselves what could be removed, refined, or made more intuitive. The result is a boat I find genuinely beautiful in its simplicity, and one that I hope will bring what we call the joy of planing to an even wider circle of sailors.«

PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATIONS