Beneteau First 53 Reviews, Specs, Options, Videos & More

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History

Blending performance sailing DNA with contemporary luxury, the Beneteau First 53 stands out as a yacht that impresses both on the racecourse and at anchor. The model was born from a collaboration between two renowned names in yacht design: Roberto Biscontini, known for his America’s Cup performance hulls, and Lorenzo Argento, the Italian designer with an eye for modern style and ergonomic layouts. This pairing brought together racing pedigree and contemporary luxury, redefining what a performance cruiser is capable of.

Hull Design: Roberto Biscontini

Interior & Deck Design: Lorenzo Argento

Launched after a competitive design process in 2016, the First 53 was created for sailors seeking both speed and comfort. Her sleek hull delivers outstanding performance, while the interior reflects Argento’s “Modern Yachting” philosophy – open, stylish, and designed around how owners actually live aboard.

The model made her official World Debut at the 2019 Cannes Yachting Festival.

Specifications & Options

The yacht features three cabins and two heads as standard, with options for a three-cabin/three-head layout and an additional skipper’s cabin. Inside, moulded woodwork, teak soles, and lacquered white bulkheads give the yacht a timeless, minimalist aesthetic. Instead of a traditional oversized saloon table, Argento opted for a sofa-lounge and coffee table setup, recognizing that many owners prefer to dine al fresco in the spacious cockpit.

Dimensions

Overall Length (LOA): 17.12 m / 56’2’’
Hull Length: 15.98 m / 52’5’’
Waterline Length (LWL): 15.40 m / 50’6’’
Beam: 5.00 m / 16’5’’
Light Displacement: 15,599 kg / 34,380 lbs

Draft & Ballast Options

Standard T-Keel Draft: 2.50 m / 8’2’’ – Ballast 4,500 kg / 9,918 lbs
Shallow Draft: 1.95 m / 6’5’’ – Ballast 5,100 kg / 11,240 lbs
Performance T-Keel Draft: 3.02 m / 9’11’’ – Ballast 4,510 kg / 9,940 lbs

Rig & Mast

Classic Mast (Aluminum): Standard configuration
Carbon Mast (Optional): +1 m / 3’3’’ for enhanced performance
Air Draft (Classic): 25.88 m / 85’
Air Draft (Performance): 26.88 m / 88’

Sail Plan – Standard Rig

Mainsail: 87 m² / 936 sq ft
Furling Genoa (105%): 78.9 m² / 849 sq ft
Code 0: 179 m² / 1,926 sq ft
Asymmetrical Spinnaker: 254 m² / 2,730 sq ft
I/J/P/E Measurements: I: 21.95 m / 72’ | J: 6.40 m / 21’ | P: 22.00 m / 72’2’’ | E: 6.80 m / 22’4’’

Sail Plan – Performance Rig

Mainsail: 91 m² / 979 sq ft
Furling Genoa (105%): 82 m² / 882 sq ft
Code 0: 185 m² / 1,991 sq ft
Asymmetrical Spinnaker: 265 m² / 2,852 sq ft
I/J/P/E Measurements: I: 22.90 m / 75’2’’ | J: 6.40 m / 21’ | P: 23.00 m / 75’6’’ | E: 6.80 m / 22’4’’

Tankage & Engine

Fuel Capacity: 400 L / 106 US gal
Fresh Water Capacity: 720 L / 190 US gal
Standard Engine: 80 HP saildrive
Optional Engine: 110 HP shaft drive

Cockpit table electronically controlled to convert into berths with an insert to match seat cushions

Galley with additional 10 gallon “cool box” and wine cooler

Reviews

Cruising World – Mark Pillsbury -February 2020

The Beneteau First Yacht 53 is designed and built to get you there in a hurry—and you’ll be stylin’ all the way.

A freshening breeze, building from near calm to the midteens, brought perfect conditions for a morning sail on the new Beneteau First Yacht 53. With sails up, our speed over the ground effortlessly matched that of the light breeze, and when things got puffy out on Chesapeake Bay a bit later, well, we went soaring.

Standing atop an angled fold-up helmsmen perch at the starboard wheel, with the lee rail close to buried and the windward rudder completely out of the water, I had the otherworldly feeling of flying across the water, and it was absolutely a thrill. Think high-end sports car winding through the gears on a twisting mountain road, and, well, you get the idea: Power on and knuckles white, but it was a ride you’d not want to miss.

Sailing Magazine – Robert “Bob” Perry – September 2019

Combining performance with a luxe interior, this performance cruiser is ready for the open sea

For a cruising yacht with luxurious accommodations, the Beneteau First 53, with its powerful rig and high performance options, promises exceptional sailing speed.

YachtRacing Life

Production boatbuilders rarely apply such extensive CFD analysis to the design of a cruiser-racer. ‘It’s all about achieving perfect balance and the best sensations at the wheel,’ Jacob explains. ‘Power comes from the square metres of sail area, but this is about the feel of the boat, making it rewarding to sail.’