Beneteau First 53f5 - Elusive

Price: AUD $220,000

Elusive is hull #6 of the stunning Beneteau First 53f5's and is listed for sale exclusively with YOTI on Pittwater. 

Penned by two legendary design houses; Farr and Pininfarina, this was Beneteau's flagship model. The 53f5 beautifully blends performance, style, and functionality all in a genuine Blue Water cruiser. 

Elusive is an impressive example with an extensive cruising inventory, some notable updates and good maintenance history. This is the three cabin / three heads version. Like the deck layout, the interior is comfortable, functional, and beautiful with curved joinery - plus there's a huge amount of space. The in-line galley offers a large amount of workable bench space and there is a fridge plus separate freezer. There is a real navigation / workstation. Natural light and ventilation is abundant with 19 opening hatches and the signature centre skylight above the saloon. 

The cockpit features twin wheel steering and massive oversized winches including three which are electric. This is a big yacht that can easily be sailed shorthanded. The mainsail is furling. Cockpit protection includes the bimini and dodger with link sheet plus side shade and clears. For a large yacht the keel was sensibly chosen as the wing option at 1.9m so Elusive makes East Coast cruising easy. 

There is a retractable bow thruster, generator, and air-conditioning. Instruments are comprehensive with Raymarine auto-pilot, AIS, plus a new Garmin plotter in the cockpit new in 2023.

Elusive was soda blasted and all antifoul removed in 2021. Rudder bearings were replaced in 2025 during her last annual haul out in July 2025.

This is a sailor's boat that is rewarding to sail and she will simply always look stunning. Contact Peter Mactier for further details and to arrange inspection.

Price $220,000 AUD
Price Base $220,000
Brand Beneteau
Model 53 F5
Length 53.00 Feet
Year 1991
Category Yacht and Sail Boats
Hull Type GRP
Hull Style Single
Power Type Sail
Type Of Sales Dealer
Engine Make Yanmar 4JH2 DTE
Engine Type Diesel 88Hp
Condition Used
State New South Wales
Suburb NEWPORT
Stock Number Elusive
Registration Number AFS392N
Designer Hull - Bruce Farr, Interior - Battista Pininfarina (Ferrari)
Builder Beneteau
Water (Potable) Capacity (l) 650 l
Hull Construction Material GRP
Hull Type Monohull
Deck Construction Material GRP- Teak laid
Length (feet) 53.14 feet
Length (m) 16.2 m
Beam/Width (feet) 14.76 feet
Beam/Width (m) 4.5 m
Draft (m) 1.9 m
Draft (feet) 6.2 feet
Keel/Ballast Wing Keel
Number of Helms Double wheels, steel wire (new 2024)
Displacement 16500 kg
Engine Notes Model 4JH2 DTE. Serviced Nov 2025.
Number Of Engines 1
Engine Hours 4300 approx.
Horse Power (hp) 88
Drive Type Shaft drive. New Volvo dripless seal 2026.
Engine Room Under companionway hatch. Insulated.
Generator Northern Lights 6KVA
Fuel Tank Capacity (L) 450 l
Propeller Fixed three blade
Steering System Double wheels, steel wire (new 2024)
Bow Thruster Max Power retractable
Accomodation Notes 3 Cabins.
Number of Berths 6
Number of Showers Three, plus 1 at stern platform.
Number of Toilets Three (one Tecmaelectric, two manual marine toilets).
Air Conditioning Yes
Galley Notes Microwave. Large in-line galley to port with extensive bench space.
Stove Three (one Tecmaelectric, two manual marine toilets).
Refrigeration Top opening freezer, front opening fridge.
Number of Sinks 1
Entertainment and Appliances Notes Samsung 40 inch smart TV in Saloon, Ocean TV dome, 32 Inch smart TV in Owners cabin.
Anchor / Winch Electric winch, up/down, 45 kg Manson supreme anchor, plus spare plough, and Fortress. Anchor / Deck wash. Double S/S bow roller.
Bilge Pump 2 x Electric, plus 2 x manual
Deck Gear 2 x Lewmar 70 ST 2 Speed electric primary winches. 4 x Lewmar ST 2 Sp winches on coachroof including 1 x electric (size 46 and 43's). 2 x Lewmar secondary winches. Adjustable Genoa cars.
Mast/Rigging Aluminium Mast & Boom. 2 x Sweptback Spreaders. Wire and rod rigging. New 2016. In mast furling, hydraulic vang, backstay, pole.
Sail Inventory Dacron mainsail, Quantum. Dacron genoa, Ian Short. Spinnaker. Storm jib and trysail. Profurl C430 furler.
Electrics 5 house batteries new 2024 Lifeline 125ah (625Ah total), Optima cranking 2024, thruster battery. Interior LED lighting. LED Nav lights. Inverter. 4 solar panels totalling 580w mounted on davit arch and coachroof. Vesper AIS class B transponder, WIFI booster aerial. Raritan 12 gallon Hot Water System. Inverter.
Electronics Navigation GPS: Garmin Echomap 2023 plotter mounted at cockpit table. Sounder/Log: Raymarine, ST60 wind, auto pilot, depth, at both helms and repeater at nav table. Raymarine ST 60 wind instrument. Raymarine auto-pilot. 2 x Plastimo compasses at Helms.
Dinghy 2.9m Highfield 2023 classic Hypalon* optional. 20HP Tohatsu 2023* optional.
Covers All weather full dodger/Bimini/side cockpit clears and shade cloth covers.
Ground Tackle 70m of chain (2022)
Watermaker / De-Sal Katadyn 25lt/hr
Has Navigation Lights LED
Radio VHF Standard Horizon, with repeater at port Helm
Remarks Safety Gear: 6 lifejackets. EPIRB (batt exp June 2034), Jackstays (Wichard), safety ladder on pushpit, White Burke U life ring in cover, Lifesling retrieval, Dan Buoy (may need servicing), 2 x fire extinguishers. Other: Ensign with flag pole at transom. Drop down boarding / swim platform at transom. Fenders. Winch handles. Custom corner cockpit seats (new 2023) with S/S frame and cushions. Cockpit cushions. S/S BBQ mounted on transom. Lifeline opening gates port and starboard. Fenders. Mooring lines. Maintenance: 2021/22 Full soda blast antifoul removal . Saloon table restored. Teak decks restored, re caulked. Full cockpit covers, including clears and shade cloth interchangeable. Full rewire of electrical panel. Main engine new heat exchanger, starter motor 2025. Main engine and generator servicing every 100 hours for the last 16 years. Fuel polish completed 2025. New Volvo dripless prop shaft and new rudder bearings installed 2025.
Vessel Name Elusive
All information contained herein has been provided by the Vendor, or sources YOTI consider reliable. However YOTI do not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information provided and any interested persons should rely on their own enquires and investigations.