BoatsBeneteau First 235

Beneteau First 235

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/transom Hung Rudder · 1986–1991

A Groupe Finot-designed fractional sloop built for performance, featuring a light displacement and high sail area ratio

Designed by Group Finot & Jean Marie Finot (Groupe Finot).

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/transom Hung Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

TrailerableBeam 2.49 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 1,282 kg of hull, so roughly 1,900 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Shoal draftDraws 1.16 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a beamy beam gives 13 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 13
CoastalBluewater

At 2.31 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.31
LightHeavy

152 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 152
EasygoingPowered-up

19.9 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 19.9
TenderStiff

29% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 29%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
29.2%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
19.9
Displacement / length
151.9
Comfort ratio
12.6
Capsize screening
2.31
Hull speed
6.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
591
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/transom hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1986–1991
Units built
680
Designer
Group Finot, Jean Marie Finot (Groupe Finot)
Builder
Beneteau

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Catalina Yachts 22 MKII7.26 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn upgraded 1995 iteration of the classic trailerable cruiser, featuring a fin keel and transom-hung rudder
J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/247.32 mSame hull family0.2 m longerThe world's most popular one-design keelboat, featuring a light 1406kg displacement for responsive, agile handling
J Boats Tillotson Pearson J/808.00 mSame hull family0.9 m longerA 1992 fractional sloop with a high 26.59 sail area-to-displacement ratio, engineered for rapid, agile performance
Dehler Yachts 25CR7.50 mSame hull family0.4 m longerA Van de Stadt-designed fractional sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio built for spirited performance
Halcyon 236.93 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA triple-keeled masthead sloop by Alan H. Buchanan, offering shallow-draft versatility based on the earlier Crystal 23
J J/77.04 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 2024 fractional sloop with a shallow 1.16m draft and a high 23.55 sail-area-to-displacement ratio for responsive daysailing

The family

Related models

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