BoatsBeneteau First 235 SK

Beneteau First 235 SK

Fractional Sloop · Swing Keel · First built 1986

A Groupe Finot-designed fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, built for versatile performance

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

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Swing Keel

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 1,220 kg of hull, so roughly 1,800 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Shoal draftDraws 0.66 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 12 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 12
CoastalBluewater

At 2.35 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.35
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 145
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 20.6
TenderStiff

28% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 28%

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

  • Draws more than ~84% of boats her size on file

Compared with 615 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
27.9%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
20.6
Displacement / length
144.6
Comfort ratio
12.0
Capsize screening
2.35
Hull speed
6.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
591
Hull
Hull type
Swing Keel
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 1986
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.

Tofinou 77.01 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA classic fractional sloop modeled after a 1939 prototype, designed for elegant daysailing with a retractable keel
Catalina Yachts 227.26 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA swing-keel masthead sloop with 15,000 units sold, offering a highly versatile and trailerable coastal cruiser
Cal Boats 247.43 mSame hull family0.3 m longerThe inaugural Jensen Marine Cal model, this fractional keel-centerboard sloop was built for shoal-water versatility
Phobos 196.30 mSame hull family0.8 m shorterA lightweight, high-performance fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited daysailing
Hunter Marine 2407.34 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA trailerable swing-keel cruiser featuring a B&R rig and water ballast, also marketed as the Hunter Legend 240
O'day 23-1 (Lift Top)7.01 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA popular C. Raymond Hunt-designed masthead sloop featuring a unique lift-top coach roof for added cabin headroom

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

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