About the Beneteau First 235

The Beneteau First 235 is a trailerable sloop that was built between 1987 and 1991. Models were made in both the USA and in France, with some 800 produced. Designed by Groupe Finot, the boat was in many ways ahead of its time. Considered radical by some at her introduction, the hull form and rigging are now accepted practices, and she is now thought of as a beautiful, graceful craft. Time has treated the design well, you could see it entering the market today and nobody would blink. The amount of interior space is amazing, and was designed to take advantage of the wide beam, carried well aft, which was a new practice in the 1980s, and again now common. Also very modern is her rig, a big roachy main that can be flown with a blade-style jib or in light-air venues a larger genoa. Available with a fin or a wing fixed keel, the wing is the way to go if you plan to trailer the boat, although the semi-elliptical fin points slightly better. Europeans can also take advantage of a very well thought-out lifting keel. Although it has been out of production for almost 20 years, the boat remains very popular to this day, in part to its enduring design and style, very high build quality, and also because for a very long time Beneteau did not make or sell boats under 30 feet LOA in the USA. Now thankfully for 2014 we have the First 210 and First 260 re-introduced as the First 21 and First 25s, but each will set you back US$50k to $100k new. If you have your heart set on a reasonably priced 'baby bennie', a used 235 is your best option. And if you make this choice, you will happily find that most of the boats have been very well maintained, and upgraded with things like current electronics, roller furling, and asymmetrical spinnakers.

This drawing shows the modern profile and rig. Her plum bow-stem was a marked departure from the clipper bows much more common at the time. Also, her fractional rig and big +10% main departed from the older IOR-style of a small high aspect ratio main and a huge genny. This sailplan, coupled with her long waterline, modern hullform and reasonable weight, make her a blast to sail. She accelerates very quickly, and will remind most of a big dinghy with her manners on the water.  (click any image to see full size)

This image below shows how fine the entry is, and how the wide (8.5 foot) beam is carried aft. Note the large number of windows and ports, which give the cabin an airy feel. The large anchor locker does not impinge on the interior usable space at all. The deck fittings are of a very high quality; most come from use on much larger Beneteaus. All lines are led aft, and many boats sport 4 winches, with the large size 16 primaries being self tailing.

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Within this shape Finot worked his magic; and the resulting room rivals much larger boats. Only the lack of true standing headroom (a still very respectable 5.4 foot, and only as the base of the ladder) reminds you this boat is only 21.5 feet long. With her dual double berths, full galley and enclosed marine head, she is a proper little yacht.

NOTE - Many are surprised when hearing the 21.5 foot hull length measurement. The 23.5 is the LOA (Length Over All) which Beneteau includes the Rudder and bow pulpit overhang. This is a common Beneteau practice - the First 260 is actually 24.5 feet long sans rudders.

A picture from the inside shows the room available. A very comfortable place to be.

Here is a page from the US brochure:

In case the text in the picture is too hard to read:

All you'd expect from a yacht is yours in the First 235, making sailing easy in this racer/cruiser perfect for family fun or keen local racing.

Just try and find another boat this size with all these big boat features that are worthy of praise by the most experienced sailor: Topsides, you'll appreciate the big, strong bow fitting; the anchor roller and anchor locker; a real toe rail for strength and safety; oversized mooring cleats; roller chocks (pioneered by Beneteau), and a high-quality Harken mainsheet, boom vang, and backstay adjuster.

Down below, you're also welcomed by big boat features: Privacy in a separate double aft cabin; a roomy main salon that accommodates 4 or 5 people comfortably and is convertible for sleeping; an L-shaped galley fully equipped with a 2 burner stove on gimbals; fresh water sink and an ice box, hanging wet locker; and yes, even a private toilet compartment with marine head, which cleverly converts to a chart table/navigation station when you reposition sliding panels.

Belying its size, the First 235 also boasts comfortable headroom and airy, spacious feel from light varnished woods and ample lighting, even including a transom window in the aft cabin.

Above all, the hallmark of a Beneteau are ever-present in this peppy light displacement boat - elegance and style, efficiency and top notch performance.

Fast and responsive on any point of sail, the sure-footed, long waterline First 235 does not sacrifice easy of handling. All halyards and sheets are led aft and to minimize frequent headsail changes, her fractional rig offers optimum power from the big, easily reefed mainsail.

You will take pride in the quality of the First 235. You will take heart that you can sail away in a true Beneteau on a mini budget.

The full brochure (in french, no less) is HERE