Beneteau First 235

The Beneteau First 235 is a 7.1-meter fractional sloop designed by Group Finot and built by Beneteau from 1986 to 1991. It features a fin hull with a transom-hung rudder, a 2.5-meter beam, a 1.2-meter draft, and a displacement of 1281 kg. The model was also available with a swing keel, offering draft options from 0.66m to 1.75m, and a winged keel option with a 0.84m draft. Aboard *Lady K Sailing*, a 1990 Beneteau First 235 with a shallow-draft winged keel and a Tohatsu outboard engine was reviewed as an accessible entry point for new keelboat owners.3:41 The boat had a newer mainsail and two hank-on headsails, but the absence of a roller-furling system was noted as a safety and handling challenge for solo sailors, particularly in heavy weather.5:48