General Information
Since the start of the 2026 season, the Beneteau First 18SE has been the newest addition to our fleet, further expanding the sailing options available at our club.
The Beneteau First 18SE is a modern, sporty keelboat that combines sailing fun, simplicity, and performance. With a length of just over five and a half meters, it is one of the more compact keelboats, suitable for both sporty sailing and relaxed cruising.
The wide, flat hull, combined with a pivoting keel, ensures stability and high performance. The spacious cockpit offers plenty of room for a small crew and, under certain conditions, also allows for single-handed sailing. The First 18 SE is designed as a sporty, easy-to-handle boat that makes keelboat sailing accessible to beginners while also providing plenty of enjoyment for experienced sailors.
Despite its compact size, it features a small cabin with basic sleeping accommodations for two people. This makes short cruises or so-called “sea camping” possible.
History
The First 18 SE was originally developed under the name Seascape 18 and later integrated into the well-known First series by the French manufacturer Beneteau. The concept arose from a collaboration with the Slovenian brand Seascape, which specializes in modern, trailerable performance sailboats.
The boat’s designer is French yacht designer Samuel Manuard, known for numerous successful regatta and offshore boats. However, the concept was developed in collaboration with Seascape founders Andraž Mihelin and Kristian Hajnšek, who contributed their experience from the Mini 6.50 class. The goal was a compact keelboat that translates the sporty character of modern offshore racing boats in this class into a small, accessible format: about 80% of the sailing fun of a Mini Transat boat—at only a fraction of the cost, yet with significantly greater everyday practicality, stability, and safety.
Since its introduction, the First 18 SE has evolved into an internationally sailed one-design class. Regattas, long-distance cruises, and joint events define the active community surrounding this boat. Thanks to its transportability, many boats can travel to international events and thus compete against each other in various sailing areas.
Sailing characteristics
The First 18 SE combines the lightness and dynamism of a sporty dinghy with the stability of a keelboat. The wide hull and weighted swing keel provide excellent initial stability, while the boat’s light weight allows for rapid acceleration. Especially on broad-reach and downwind courses, the boat can plane and reach impressive speeds for its size. Two rudder blades ensure precise control even when heeling and at higher speeds.
The modern rig, featuring a square-top mainsail and an extendable bowsprit, allows for the use of a gennaker. As a result, the First 18 SE offers a very sporty yet highly controllable sailing experience. Thanks to its well-organized deck layout, the boat can be sailed easily solo or with a small crew of two to three people.
The First 18 SE in the Club
With the Beneteau First 18 SE, the club has a modern and sporty keelboat that is used for both training and competitive sailing.
Initially, the focus will be on getting to know the boat and its characteristics. New and existing skippers will have the opportunity to gain experience on the First 18 SE and develop a confident feel for the boat.
Another goal is to ensure that as many members as possible have the opportunity to sail the boat. In addition to training and club outings, the First 18 SE is regularly used in the Wednesday regatta as well as in other regattas in Wismar Bay.
Technical Specifications
| Owner | ASW e.V. |
|---|---|
| Boattype | Sporty keelboat with a swing keel |
| Year built | 2025 |
| Designer | Samuel Manuard |
| Yard | Beneteau |
| Boattype | First 18 SE |
| Displacement | 500 kg |
| Length | 5,55 m |
| Beam | 2,38 m |
| Mastheight | 7,40 m |
| Sailing area |
|
| Yardstick | 103 |
| Rigging | 7/8-Sloop-Rigg |