BoatsBeneteau First 26

Beneteau First 26

Masthead Sloop · Fin w/transom Hung Rudder · 1984–1991

A Groupe Finot-designed masthead sloop built for performance, featuring a fin keel and transom-hung rudder

Designed by Groupe 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.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 16 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 16
CoastalBluewater

2.18 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.18
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 179
EasygoingPowered-up

16.4 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 16.4
TenderStiff

30% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 30%

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
30.2%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
16.4
Displacement / length
179.0
Comfort ratio
16.2
Capsize screening
2.18
Hull speed
6.4 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
753
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/transom hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1984–1991
Designer
Groupe 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.

Albin Marine AB Vega 278.25 mSame hull family0.2 m longerScandinavia's most popular production yacht of her size, this 8.25-metre masthead sloop defined coastal cruising from 1965 to 1979
Maxi Yachts 777.70 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterThe most popular model in the builder's history, offering both inboard and outboard engine options for versatile cruising
Martinique 257.70 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA Brazilian-built masthead sloop with a 44% ballast ratio, offering a stiff and stable platform for coastal cruising
Jaguar 257.62 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA Frank Butler-designed masthead sloop with a deep fin keel, offering a similar layout to the popular Catalina 25
Cal 257.62 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA flush-deck masthead sloop featuring a pop-top companionway that became one of the most popular models in the fleet
Puma 277.95 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Ron Holland-designed masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, built for performance-oriented coastal cruising

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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