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
X-Yachts X-959.24 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Niels Jeppesen-designed IOR half-tonner with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio and an optional taller rig
RM Yachts 8908.90 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA high-performance fractional sloop with a deep bulb keel and dual rudders, optimized for speed and stability
Jeanneau Aquila 278.70 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA Philippe H. Harle-designed masthead sloop offered in both standard and deep-keel Regatta configurations
Ranger Yachts 29 (Mull)8.71 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA 1970s masthead sloop with a skeg-hung rudder, offering a balanced 1.98 capsize screening for coastal cruising
Beneteau First 3009.05 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Groupe Finot-designed fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio built for spirited club racing

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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