The First 235 Sk Beneteau is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 20.3′, the First 235 Sk Beneteau tops out around 6.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √20.3′ LWL = 6.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
20.7
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
27.9%
Light ballast — tends to be tender; reef earlier than the numbers suggest.
Displacement / Length
145
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
12.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.35
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
591lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
12.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.35
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the First 235 Sk Beneteau sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Hunter 23
243s/nm
Precision 23
243s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.6 |
5.1 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.0 kts),
SA/D (20.7), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the First 235 Sk Beneteau — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the First 235 Sk Beneteau.
|
First 235 Sk Beneteau |
Hunter 23 |
Hunter 235 |
Precision 23 |
Santana 2023C |
Tonic 23 Jeanneau |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
23.3 |
23.3 |
23.5 |
23.4 |
23.3 |
23.3 |
| LWL |
20.3 |
20.3 |
20.5 |
20.0 |
20.6 |
20.3 |
| Beam |
8.2 |
8.3 |
8.3 |
8.5 |
8.5 |
8.9 |
| Displacement |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Ballast |
750 |
1 |
1 |
850 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
249 |
238 |
250 |
248 |
222 |
248 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
243 |
— |
243 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
20.7 |
16.2 |
16.4 |
21.9 |
17.6 |
16.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
27.9 |
37.5 |
39.5 |
— |
45.1 |
35.3 |
| Comfort |
12.0 |
— |
— |
10.4 |
12.0 |
14.8 |
| Capsize |
2.35 |
— |
— |
2.53 |
2.39 |
2.28 |
| Hull Speed |
6.0 |
— |
— |
6.0 |
6.1 |
6.0 |