FIRST 265 (BENETEAU)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 26 ft |
| LWL | 24.17 ft |
| Beam | 9.42 ft |
| Draft | 4.92 ft |
| Displacement | 4,800 lb |
| Ballast | 1,429.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.6 kn |
About the FIRST 265 (BENETEAU)
Draft GTE: 1.50m/4.92' Draft PTE: 1.15m/3.77' The OCEANIS 281 is based on this design. Data and images from builders brochure.
Designed by Group Finot and built by Beneteau from 1990–1997, the First 265 is a compact fractional sloop with 520 hulls produced. Its lightweight displacement of 4800.0 lb and high SA/D ratio of 18.21 indicate a design prioritizing performance and ease of handling over heavy offshore comfort.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend racers who value a responsive, easy-to-handle package with a shallow max draft of 4.92 ft. It is well-matched for single-handers or couples seeking a manageable trailerable or dockable vessel with modern fractional rigging.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low D/L ratio of 151.76 and a capsize ratio of 2.24, the First 265 is primarily a coastal cruiser rather than a dedicated bluewater passagemaker. Its light displacement and fin keel favor protected waters and short offshore passages over heavy-weather ocean crossings.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau First 235 and First 275, which share the same designer lineage and performance-oriented philosophy. It also competes with the O'Day 262 and Pearson 26, though those typically offer heavier displacement and different rig configurations.
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 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.3 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.2 |
| 60° | 3.5 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 6.5 |
| 75° | 3.7 | 4.9 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| 90° | 3.5 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 7.7 |
| 110° | 3.5 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 8.3 |
| 120° | 3.4 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 8.3 | 9.2 |
| 135° | 2.9 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 8.2 | 9.8 |
| 150° | 2.4 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 8.7 |
| Beat VMG | 2.1 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Run VMG | 2.1 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 7.8 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the FIRST 265 (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 26ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
16 reported issues across 8 systems for the FIRST 265 (BENETEAU), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a FIRST 265 (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 16 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 265 (BENETEAU)?
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Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Universal — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the FIRST 265 (BENETEAU)
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