FIRST 20 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 21 ft |
| LWL | 19.68 ft |
| Beam | 8.14 ft |
| Draft | 5.91 ft/ 2.3 ft min |
| Displacement | 2,745 lb |
| Ballast | 661 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 5.9 kn |
About the FIRST 20 (BENETEAU)
The Beneteau First 20 is a compact, performance-oriented daysailer designed by Finot / Conq Assoc. and built by Beneteau starting in 2011. With a displacement of 2745.0 lb and a fractional sloop rig, it is engineered for agility and ease of handling, though the exact total hulls built is not specified in the available data.
- Best for:
- This boat is ideally suited for coastal cruising, weekend getaways, and single-handed or couple sailing due to its manageable size and fractional rig. Its light displacement and high sail area-to-displacement ratio make it a responsive choice for short-range cruising and racing.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low displacement of 2745.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 2.33, the First 20 is not designed for serious offshore bluewater cruising but is capable of protected coastal passages and short offshore trips with proper preparation.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats from this era include the Beneteau First 18 and First 23, which share similar design philosophies and target the same market of entry-level cruisers and racers. Other competitors in the 20-foot performance cruiser segment include the J/24 and the O'Day 23, though the First 20 offers more modern interior amenities.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(2 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.8 | 4.6 | 5.1 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| 60° | 4.0 | 4.8 | 5.3 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 6.0 |
| 75° | 4.2 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 6.2 | 6.4 |
| 90° | 4.5 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.8 |
| 110° | 4.5 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.4 |
| 120° | 4.3 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 7.9 |
| 135° | 3.8 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.7 |
| 150° | 3.3 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.7 |
| Beat VMG | 2.5 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Run VMG | 2.9 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 5.6 | 6.2 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 20 (BENETEAU) yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 21ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
28 reported issues across 9 systems for the FIRST 20 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST 20 (BENETEAU)? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 28 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your FIRST 20 (BENETEAU)?
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Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Westerbeke — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the FIRST 20 (BENETEAU)
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