Beneteau First 285
Beneteau · designed by Group Finot Design · 1985
fin keelFractional rigged sloopFrance
The Beneteau First 285 is a 28-foot fractional rigged sloop sailboat designed by Group Finot Design and built by Beneteau, first launched in 1985.
General
| Builder | Beneteau |
|---|---|
| Designer | Group Finot Design |
| Years built | 1985 |
| Hull type | fin keel |
| Rig type | Fractional rigged sloop |
| Construction | fiberglass |
| Origin | France |
Dimensions
| LOA | 28.16 ft8.58 m |
|---|---|
| LWL | 24.25 ft7.39 m |
| Beam | 9.83 ft3.00 m |
| Draft (max) | 5.25 ft1.60 m |
| Displacement | 6,160 lb2,794 kg |
| Ballast | 2,115 lb959 kg |
| Sail Area | 340 ft²31.6 m² |
Design ratios
Computed from the specs above using the standard formulas. Try the sailboat calculators with your own numbers.
SA / Displacement 16.19 Cruiser — good all-round performance
Ballast / Displacement 34.3 % Higher = stiffer / more sail-carrying power
Displacement / Length 193 Light
Comfort Ratio 17.8 Racing / light coastal
Capsize Screening 2.14 Better suited to coastal use (> 2.0)
Hull Speed 6.6 kn Theoretical max displacement speed
How these numbers are calculated
- SA / Displacement
SA ÷ (Disp ÷ 64)^(2/3)— Power-to-weight. < 16 under-canvassed, 16–20 cruiser, > 20 racer.- Ballast / Displacement
Ballast ÷ Disp × 100— Stability/stiffness. Higher carries sail better.- Displacement / Length
Disp(lt) ÷ (0.01 · LWL)³— < 100 ultralight, 100–200 light, 200–300 moderate, > 300 heavy.- Comfort Ratio (Brewer)
Disp ÷ (0.65 · (0.7·LWL + 0.3·LOA) · Beam^1.33)— Motion in a seaway. Higher = more comfortable offshore.- Capsize Screening
Beam ÷ (Disp ÷ 64)^(1/3)— ≤ 2.0 favored for offshore; > 2.0 better for coastal use.- Hull Speed
1.34 · √LWL— Theoretical max displacement speed in knots.
Estimated price
$23,000 typical range $18,500 – $27,500
⚠ Rough estimate only — not market data. Derived from a simple model based on length and hull age; actual asking prices vary widely with condition, equipment, engine hours and location.
