FIRST 235 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 23.33 ft |
| LWL | 20.25 ft |
| Beam | 8.17 ft |
| Draft | 3.8 ft |
| Displacement | 2,826 lb |
| Ballast | 824.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.0 kn |
Engine
| Commonly | Tohatsu |
About the FIRST 235 (BENETEAU)
Also available with swing keel Draft (BD): 5.75'/1.75m Draft (BU): 2.16'/0.66m WINGED KEEL draft: 2.75'/0.84m). Thanks to Clay for providing updated information.
Designed by Group Finot and built by Beneteau from 1986–1991, the First 235 is a compact fractional sloop with 680 hulls produced. Its lightweight displacement of 2826.0 lb and low D/L ratio of 151.93 define it as a performance-oriented day sailor rather than a heavy cruiser.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend racers who prioritize ease of handling and trailerability over long-range provisioning. It is well-suited for single-handers or couples seeking a manageable 23.33 ft LOA package with a max draft of 3.8 ft.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.31 and a comfort ratio of 12.57, the First 235 is not designed for offshore bluewater cruising but is capable of protected coastal passages. Its light displacement and fin keel favor speed in moderate winds rather than heavy-weather stability.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau First 23.7 and the O'Day 23, which share similar fractional sloop rigs and trailerable footprints. The First 235 distinguishes itself with a slightly wider beam of 8.17 ft and a more modern fin keel design compared to older keelboat styles.
Direct variant of the FIRST 235 (BENETEAU)
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(14 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 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.4 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| 60° | 3.6 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.2 |
| 75° | 3.8 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 6.9 |
| 90° | 3.6 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.5 |
| 110° | 3.6 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 8.3 |
| 120° | 3.5 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 8.4 | 9.5 |
| 135° | 3.0 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 8.2 | 10.5 |
| 150° | 2.5 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 7.5 | 9.1 |
| Beat VMG | 2.1 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 3.8 |
| Run VMG | 2.2 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 7.8 |
Images
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 235 (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 23.33ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
27 reported issues across 11 systems for the FIRST 235 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST 235 (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 27 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 235 (BENETEAU)?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Tohatsu, Yanmar, Universal, Atomic 4 — is it one of these?
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the FIRST 235 (BENETEAU)
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…