First For Fun

OVERVIEW 
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Replacing the race-orientated First 34.7 and softer-focus First 36 the new First 35 aims to please a broad market, so there are plenty of options when choosing your idea of fun, with both cruising and race packs available. Farr’s basic premise, to optimise the boat for IRC while still producing a versatile sailboat, has meant lowering the centre of effort by giving the full-shaped hull a T-section bulbed keel and putting equipment as near the waterline as possible.

Other major changes for this model are with the alloy rig, which has the shrouds outboard and sheets inboard to improve pointing; and it also leaves the decks clear for going forward, the latter also helped by more beam than her predecessor. The sail plan is also optimised for IRC with non-overlapping headsails for around the cans work but cruisers can fit a 108% Genoa on a furler; and I’d advise a windlass.

The sails on the review boat, Eugenie supplied by Beneteau distributor Vicsail were a flat-cut taffeta/carbon mainsail from Ian Short with a single set of slab-reefing points, and carbon headsails.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
-- Choose your setup
With a sailaway price of $239,000, the budget may even stretch to a basic set of race carbons, when in buoy-racer mode. Competitive skippers will appreciate the functional cockpit setup dominated by the five-foot diameter Lewmar steering wheel which clearly signals the F35’s racing intentions. In front and to hand are Harken ST46.2 mainsheet winches above the mainsheet track which lies on the cockpit floor. Another two Harkens nestle further up on the raised coamings for headsail- and spinnaker-trimming duties, along with two more ST40.2s on the low-profile saloon roof.

For cruising, a smaller steering wheel is available allowing easier access to the partly-open transom with its removable bulkhead. The race-orientated cockpit could easily seat six crew on the teak trimmed benches, with the starboard one housing a cavernous locker. Along with another large locker on the sole, ideal for a liferaft or sails, it makes the cockpit a functional space. But the addition of a removable table would keep the weekend cruisers happier.

For swimmers, or crew recovery, the semi-open transom can be accessed via a removable bar, and the swim ladder lowered. Another gripe for cruising sailors is the rather flimsy (and removable) bow roller and lack of windlass but there is space for an optional vertical-style unit to be fitted.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION
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As a fast cruiser the First 35 has enough accommodation in two double cabins for a comfortable rest. Twin door access to the forward V-berth caters for sail handling, and for more accommodation, the berth could possibly be subdivided to give two separate bunks. 

The aft cabin looks a bit cramped with the cockpit intruding from above but storage is adequate, unlike in the saloon where under-bench space has tankage. The optional hot water system is fitted, cleverly near the keel bolts, under the innovative collapsible table. The starboard head is large enough for a shower and the saloon seating ample for family cruising and, cleverly, the main table can be lowered for use as a bunk or sail stowage.

Fuel and water capacities aren’t huge but if they are important then Beneteau’s Oceanis cruising range should be considered instead. The two burner gas stove and single deep sink is adequate for most cooks and a 100L ice box will keep plenty of stubbies as well as food cool.

Cleverly, the navigator’s seat swings out for use and it’s interesting to note that the instrumentation is by French brand NKE, which distributor Vicsail is now offering to Australian customers. NKE has made its name among short-handed sailors including the tough Vendee Globe event. The NKE autopilot’s popularity stems from its inbuilt fluxgate compass, and the cockpit setup of this system came with the review boat.

In the engine room on the First 35, a 29hp Yanmar saildrive powers all the gear and is accessed easily from a convenient swing-out companionway and also has side access for servicing. It has an 80amp alternator for charging the 110amp house and 70amp engine batteries. A folding prop ensured the review boat had minimal drag while under sail.

Stiffness and stability through the design is aided by a T-shaped cast iron keel which also minimises drag, and a lead option is available. Similarly the rudder blade is designed to be deep enough to grip in both race and cruising mode with moderate volume. The keel-stepped alloy rig has a non-overlapping headsail and is set up for large masthead spinnakers for maximum downwind performance.

The standing rigging is stranded cable as standard, whereas the racing version comes with rod rigging and carbon fibre backstay. All shrouds are outboard, allowing uncluttered side decks. Simple slab reefing means little to go wrong when the wind rises and all main lines run aft to the cockpit. The overall deck layout is functional with solid wooden toe rails, strong guard rails and cabin-top wooden hand rails, which combine to ensure crew safety when fast sail changes are called. For trimming duties, barber haulers, a German mainsheet and fully-adjustable cockpit mainsheet track ensure optimised sailing.

Having cruised an older First around the Baltic some years ago on an enjoyable holiday, I found this type of basic sailplan on a lively hull worked well, so looked forward to taking the new boat on the water.

ON THE WATER
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The readout from the mast NKE jumbos quickly registered 6 knots then 7.2 knots as we sledded along the smooth surface of the Harbour.
The combination of big wheel and large spade rudder transmitted my every hand twitch to vary our heading before I settled into my groove and prepared for a gybe, with Micah floating the kite as Jack dipped the pole. All lines ran easily, helped by extra Spinlock jammers on the deck. And the mainsheet, track and backstay were all to hand from the helm.

Dropping the kite down the forward hatch, a bare headed hoist of the carbon headsail quickly followed and with sheets tight and barber haulers tweaked we slid to windward at about 30 degrees at a tad under seven knots in the nine-knot breeze. “Treat her like a big dinghy”, advised crewman Micah, and I did with a series of tacks and gybes that spun the First 35 around like the big dinghy it really is. Nimble handling with fast acceleration out of the turns should make mark rounding a breeze. But the light displacement makes stalling a hazard in a chop and of course crew weight distribution is key.

With the afternoon drawing to a close the 29 Yanmar was fired up and we headed for home. Cranking the power on, I managed a respectable 7.8 knots as the revs maxed out at 3400, and all without any juddering felt on the wheel.

The bottom line on the First 35 is that it undoubtedly puts the fun factor back into your sailing while being a versatile cruiser-racer and at an affordable price.

Sydney GTS37 – From the pedigreed stable of Hobart-race-proven boats, the brand-new 37 promises performance yet will accommodate weekend cruisers. Delivery is planned for early 2011.

Archambault A35 – A proven winner in Australian waters with highly-optimised IRC design and very light displacement that guarantees lively performance.