BoatsBeneteau First 29

Beneteau First 29

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1983–1989

A Jean-Marie Finot design available with a swing keel and twin rudders, offering versatile configurations for shoal water

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 light displacement on a moderate beam gives 19 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 19
CoastalBluewater

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

Capsize screening 2.04
LightHeavy

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

Displacement / length 175
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 17.0
TenderStiff

31% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 31%

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
31.4%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
17.0
Displacement / length
174.7
Comfort ratio
19.2
Capsize screening
2.04
Hull speed
6.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
912
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1983–1989
Units built
520
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.

Jeanneau Rush 319.13 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Ron Holland-designed IOR half-tonner that served as the official boat for the Tour de France à la Voile
Hunter Yachts 29.58.99 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop designed by Rob Mazza that serves as the foundation for the Moorings 295 charter fleet
Sunbeam 298.95 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Schoechl-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio, built for performance over two decades
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i8.99 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Marc Lombard-designed fractional sloop built for coastal cruising with a balanced, modern hull form.
J/29 FR8.99 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1982-1987 fractional sloop featuring a transom-hung rudder and a high 23.35 SA/displacement ratio for speed
Newport 30-39.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA cruising-oriented evolution of the Newport 30 featuring standard wheel steering and diesel power.

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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