July 17, 2006

Beneteau First 10R
Boat Review by: Stuart Streuli

While it was a last-minute decision to switch the name of Beneteau's latest racer/cruiser from the First 34.7, its European name, to the First 10R, which it will be called in North America, it now seems like a logical choice. This latest creation from Beneteau is a departure from the line that produced the popular First 36.7, 40.7, 44.7, and 47.7.

The most obvious difference is the bowsprit. Beneteau has built other sprit boats before, but few have reached this side of the Atlantic. The Farr-designed 10R also has a high-aspect T-bulb-a nod to the IRC rating rule-and a carbon Hall Spars rig, which comes standard on the North American versions. Then there's the innovative interior layout. Placing the head forward, where a V-berth would usually be found, allows for a spacious main saloon. This much interior room would usually have a detrimental effect on the cockpit, making for a cramped working space in racing trim. But the 10R has enough elbowroom in the cockpit for two headsail trimmers, a pit person, and a mainsheet trimmer all to work comfortably.

Sailing World took its first sail in the 10R on Wednesday, dueling with the editorial team from Cruising World in a best-of-three informal match race series on Narragansett Bay. With an overlapping genoa, the 10R was slippery in light air, powering up quickly as the breeze reached 10 knots. Upwind, we topped out just above 6 knots. Downwind the speed was a few tenths higher, but what was most impressive was the boat's ability to sail angles similar to what boats flying symmetric spinnakers would sail. In flat water, we were between 150 degrees and 160 degrees true wind angle on the runs, and matching the VMG of the Cruising World team, which elected to sail hotter angles.

The wheel is sensitive, with just three-quarters of a turn taking it from hard-over starboard to hard-over port, and requires a light touch. I often found myself oversteering out of tacks, but that's easy to correct with a little practice. Another thing that will come quickly with a little practice is improved speed and boathandling. While we got around the track without any problems-the boat is simple around the corners-we lost out to Cruising World, and SW ex-pat John Burnham, by the length of the bowsprit in the rubber match.

Two 10Rs are entered in this week's New York YC Race Week, one with an IRC TCC of 1.025, the other 1.029. These are just slightly below the average rating for the 36.7. The base price for the 10R is $133,000, with an estimated sailaway price around $165,000. Production has just commenced at Beneteau's plant in South Carolina-the first two U.S.-built 10Rs are scheduled to be shipped at the end of the month.