Design and Construction
The First 20 is a Finot-Conq design with a wide, flat stern and modest freeboard that sits higher than a pure sportboat but lower than a typical cruiser anchor. Its retractable keel lifts for trailering or motoring into knee-deep water, and the fold-down mast fits nicely on a trailer alongside it anchor. Twin angled rudders give the boat directional bite when heeled, and the outboard hangs between those rudders rather than on a conventional transom bracket, keeping the stern clean for a pocket cruiser of this size.
Rig and Handling
The rig is all-new for this model and distinctly modern: a backstay-less layout carries a large square-topped mainsail, while a 100-percent roller-furling headsail tames the genoa in heavy air anchor. A self-supporting mast removes the need for aft stay hardware, and the standard fiberglass bowsprit flies an asymmetrical spinnaker off a tidy on-deck platform, with a retracting bowsprit available to streamline the hull going to weather. The fold-down mast kit is an option for owners who want to simplify storage and launching. With a lifting keel and light displacement, the boat is designed for a good turn of speed and trailers without drama.
Accommodations
Below, the cabin is weekend-getaway ready with a double V-berth that can be separated from the saloon with a privacy curtain, plus two decent-sized quarter berths for a small crew anchor. Two settees, a small sink, and a portable toilet make for a clean interior, and the standard layout is rounded out by an optional folding table and an optional water tank for those who linger at anchor. The emphasis is clearly on sailing first and shelter second, but the berth count is generous for a boat under 22 feet.
Options and Ownership
Owners can specify an optional maximum 10-horsepower outboard, an optional water tank, a folding table, a portable toilet, and a fold-down mast kit anchor. The retractable keel and folding mast combination means the boat lives as easily on a trailer as on a mooring, and the self-supporting mast reduces rigging complexity for a single-handed owner. These choices keep the First 20 in the daysailer-to-pocket-cruiser lane without pretending to be a miniature coastal cruiser.
The Verdict
The Beneteau First 20 takes the First line’s performance ethos and compresses it into a trailerable 21-footer that sails modern and camps comfortably. Its backstay-less square-top rig, lifting keel, and twin-rudder stern are real upgrades over the older First 211 it replaced, and the berth plan is roomy for the length. The trade-off is minimal tankage and a spartan head arrangement, but as a light-displacement speedster with a spinnaker bowsprit, it hits its brief.
Pros
- Lifting keel and fold-down mast for easy trailering behind typical trucks and SUVs
- Modern backstay-less rig with square-top main and roller-furling headsail
- Twin angled rudders and wide flat stern for control when heeled
- Double V-berth with privacy curtain plus two quarter berths
Cons
- Portable toilet and small sink only; no built-in head system noted
- Optional water tank means default setup is minimal for overnights
