Beneteau First 50

Cartouche is a 2012 Beneteau First 50, one of the younger examples in this successful performance cruiser‑racer lineage. Launched a few years after the original First 50 designs, Cartouche benefits from the continued refinement of the model’s balance between offshore capability, competitive performance and comfortable cruising.

Under the ownership of Steven Fahey, Cartouche has been actively campaigned in a range of offshore and coastal events. The yacht regularly competes in ORCV passage races, one‑day ocean sprints from Queenscliff, club racing, and prominent regattas such as the Festival of Sails in Geelong and the Lipton Cup Regatta run by the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. This diversity of racing — from all‑day offshore legs to tight tactical courses — highlights the versatility of the First 50 platform.

The Beneteau First 50 has a reputation for combining solid offshore performance with a comfortable, well‑appointed interior. At roughly 15 m (50 ft), the design offers spacious accommodation, a practical galley, and multiple cabins — characteristics that make it suitable not just for race campaigns, but also for extended cruising and passage making.

What sets Cartouche apart is the way she has been campaigned consistently across multiple formats. Racing around islands, long coastal legs, offshore sprints and regattas has provided Cartouche with a varied mileage profile, exposing her to shifting conditions, changing sea states and the different tactical demands that come with each type of race.

The First 50 hull and rig configuration deliver a responsive sailing experience that rewards good trim and crew coordination. In lighter airs she sails efficiently and maintains momentum, while in stronger conditions the hull form and sailplane allow the yacht to stay balanced and confident. This performance range has contributed to Cartouche’s competitiveness and durability in a wide variety of Australian offshore racing environments.

In Cartouche, the Beneteau First 50 platform demonstrates its capability as both a serious offshore contender and a comfortable live‑aboard vessel — a blend that appeals to sailors who want a boat that performs well on race courses while remaining versatile enough for cruising and extended adventures.