A desire to become a homeowner
After discovering sailing on the beaches of his native Nantes, Olivier continued to indulge his passion when he moved to Aix-en-Provence. It was at La Nautique, the famous club in Marseille, that he continued to perfect his skills, sailing on boats such as the A35 and the J80.
But as his desire to sail grew stronger, he decided to take the plunge and buy his first sailboat.
With a budget of a few thousand euros, he's looking for a unit between 7 and 10 meters, capable of accommodating a few friends and his two children, aged 5 and 11. Above all, Olivier wants a simple, seaworthy, safe sailboat capable of forgiving his beginner's mistakes. He naturally turned to bestsellers from the 80s and 90s, models that coincided with his budget.
A meticulous search
First, he visits a Rush, a halftonner racing cruiser built by the Jeanneau yard. Then an Arpège, built by Dufour, but which needs too much work to be refitted.
As Olivier lives in the Bouches du Rhône region, the fact that the boat is sold with its berth is a key criterion. Contacts are made with several brokers in the region, and automatic alerts from online sales sites are activated.
It was finally in Fos sur Mer that Olivier set his sights on this First 30, which until then had been owned by a group of friends who wanted to move up a size.
Olivier becomes the new owner of Todaisso who mainly sailed on the Mediterranean coast. The feeling was mutual during the transaction, and the former owner took charge of the boat in a professional manner.
A proven first sailboat
Almost 1,000 were built between 1977 and 1981, the First 30 was one of the first cruising racing yachts produced by the Bénéteau shipyard. With its reputation for solidity and reliability, the First 30 was chosen as the one-design for the Tour de France à la voile from 1979 to 1981.
Todaisso has spent most of its career in the Mediterranean. She is equipped with offshore armament. Her original engine, a Renault Couach, has been replaced by an equivalent Vetus, and she has always undergone regular maintenance.
The front triangle features a double berth and ample storage space. To get there, you have to pass through the shower room, which includes a toilet and sink.
The saloon is rather welcoming for an 8.95-meter hull. On either side of the companionway are the galley and chart table.
Reassuring behavior and clever fittings
" The First 30 is a boat that perfectly matches my program "Olivier explains.
" I love sailing with friends or my children. The deep bathtub cockpit, with very high coamings, gives us great safety. Upwind, it's a boat that's still up to the task, and one that catches many of the newer yachts. Downwind, it's a different story. Her 70s-typical small ass makes her playful at the helm. Its narrowness makes it seaworthy, but this comes at a price in terms of interior volume, which is a little restricted.
Nevertheless, it's an easy-to-handle yacht that I'm really enjoying sailing. Once I've got her under control, I hope to take her on my first ocean cruise to Corsica ".
