BoatsBeneteau First 28

Beneteau First 28

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1980–1982

A Jean-Marie Finot-designed masthead sloop built for performance with a stiff 37% ballast ratio

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

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade 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 moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 17 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 17
CoastalBluewater

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

Capsize screening 2.18
LightHeavy

186 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 186
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 16.5
TenderStiff

37% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 37%

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

  • Draws more than ~79% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2174 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
37.0%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
16.5
Displacement / length
185.6
Comfort ratio
17.2
Capsize screening
2.18
Hull speed
6.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
854
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1980–1982
Units built
600
Designer
Jean-Marie 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.

Maxi Yachts Fenix 8.58.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1980s cruiser with a 1.5-metre bulb keel and spade rudder, designed for a balanced, stable coastal experience
Jeanneau Aquila 278.70 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe H. Harle-designed masthead sloop offered in both standard and deep-keel Regatta configurations
Jeanneau Rush 319.13 mSame hull family0.5 m longerA Ron Holland-designed IOR half-tonner that served as the official boat for the Tour de France à la Voile
Albin Marine AB Vega 278.25 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterScandinavia's most popular production yacht of her size, this 8.25-metre masthead sloop defined coastal cruising from 1965 to 1979
Pearson Yachts 27 (Triton 27)8.23 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA Doug Peterson-influenced masthead sloop built from US Yachts molds, offering a light-displacement cruiser profile
Newport 27S8.23 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA 1974 masthead sloop with a 1.3-meter draft, offering a stable fin-keel platform for shoal-water 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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