| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Finot/Conq |
| Location | France |
| Year | 2011 |
| Builder(s) | Beneteau |
| Role | Cruiser-Racer |
| Name | Beneteau First 20 |
| Boat | |
| Displacement | 2,745 lb (1,245 kg) |
| Draft | 5.91 ft (1.80 m) withcentreboard down |
| Hull | |
| Type | monohull |
| Construction | glassfibre |
| LOA | 21.00 ft (6.40 m) |
| LWL | 19.68 ft (6.00 m) |
| Beam | 8.14 ft (2.48 m) |
| Engine type | outboard motor |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | Stub keel and centreboard |
| Ballast | 661 lb (300 kg) |
| Rudder(s) | dual transom-mountedrudders |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Bermuda rig |
| I foretriangle height | 22.97 ft (7.00 m) |
| J foretriangle base | 7.78 ft (2.37 m) |
| P mainsail luff | 24.28 ft (7.40 m) |
| E mainsail foot | 10.33 ft (3.15 m) |
| Sails | |
| Sailplan | Fractional riggedsloop |
| Mainsail area | 170 sq ft (16 m2) |
| Jib/genoa area | 75 sq ft (7.0 m2) |
| Gennaker area | 265 sq ft (24.6 m2) |
| Other sails | Code 0: 161 sq ft (15.0 m2) |
| Upwind sail area | 245 sq ft (22.8 m2) |
| Downwind sail area | 435 sq ft (40.4 m2) |
TheBeneteau First 20 is a Frenchtrailerablesailboat that was designed byFinot/Conq as acruiser-racer and first built in 2011.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
The boat is a development of theBeneteau First 210 andBeneteau First 211.[10][11]
The design was built byBeneteau in France, from 2011 to 2018, but it is now out of production.[1][2][3][4][12][13][14]
The First 20 is a recreationalkeelboat, built predominantly ofglassfibre, with wood trim. The hull is solid fibreglass and the deck isbalsa-cored. It has afractionalsloop rig with a square-topmainsail,roller furlingjib, nobackstay, a deck-stepped mast, one set of sweptspreaders andaluminium spars with continuous 1X19stainless steel wirestanding rigging, plus a fibreglassbowsprit. There is no interior cabin mast post and instead the surrounding structure takes the mast compression load. The hull has aplumb stem; a verticaltransom; dual, angled, transom-hungrudders controlled by atiller and a fixed stubkeel with a retractablecentreboard. It displaces 2,745 lb (1,245 kg) empty and carries 661 lb (300 kg) ofcast iron ballast.[1][2][3][4][8][9][11][10]
The boat has a draft of 5.91 ft (1.80 m) with the centreboard extended and 2.30 ft (0.70 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water or ground transportation on atrailer.[1][2][3][4]
The boat is normally fitted with a small 4 to 10 hp (3 to 7 kW)outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[1][2][3][4]
The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double"V"-berthberth in the bow cabin and twoquarter berths aft, under the cockpit sides. Thegalley is located on both sides just aft of bow cabin. The galley is equipped with a single-burner stove and a sink. Cabin headroom is 58 in (147 cm).[4]
For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with anasymmetrical spinnaker of 265 sq ft (24.6 m2) or acode 0 sail of 161 sq ft (15.0 m2) flown from the bowsprit.[4][11]
The design has ahull speed of 5.95 kn (11.02 km/h).[1][2][3][4]
In a 2011Cruising World review, Jen Brett wrote, "just shy of 21 feet, the Beneteau First 20 is the smallest boat in this builder’s lineup. But don't let the size fool you. The First series is the performance-sailing line from Beneteau USA, and like the First 20's larger siblings, this boat is designed for a good turn of speed. And going with the theory that the easier a boat is to sail, the more likely you are to do so, things have been kept simple."[11]
ABoat Test review noted, "from our point of view, Beneteau's new First 20 is a breath of fresh air to hit the 'entry-level' sailboat market. She was designed by Finot Conq & Associates in France and her bottom shape and some of her attributes come right off the huge round-the-world racing boats the firm has designed."[15]
ASailing Magazine review indicated "the First 20 is different in that it's not a saucy-looking boat; it's a sweet-moving boat. Its modest freeboard, higher than a sport boat, keeps sailors dry and creates room in the cockpit for comfortable seats."[16]