Beneteau First 20 Buyer's Guide
The Beneteau First 20 is the smallest boat in Beneteau’s lineup, a just-under-21-foot Finot-Conq pocket cruiser built as an updated version of the popular First 211 and meant for a good turn of speed with trailerable convenience. On the used market it draws sailors who want a modern rig and a real berth plan without a big boat’s storage and tow demands. Knowing what was standard versus optional, and what to look at before purchase, keeps a buyer focused on the right hull.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every First 20 carries the same core interior: a double V-berth forward that closes off from the saloon with a privacy curtain, two decent-sized quarter berths aft, two settees, a small sink, and a portable toilet anchor. The cabin is weekend-getaway ready as delivered, so layout shopping is less about plan variations and more about how neatly an owner kept the standard fit. A used boat with the optional folding table and optional water tank will feel more complete for overnights, but those are additions rather than different models.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The standard boat already includes a fiberglass bowsprit for an asymmetric spinnaker, a self-supporting mast, and a 100-percent roller-furling headsail, so the sailing hardware is modern from the factory. Buyer-consequence options to look for are the fold-down mast kit, which simplifies trailering and storage, and the optional maximum 10-horsepower outboard, which the seller may have fitted for more punch than a smaller motor. A retracting bowsprit and the optional water tank or folding table are lower-stakes comforts; the lifting keel is standard and should be exercised to confirm it moves freely.
What to Inspect
The keel lifts for trailering and the boat comes with a retractable keel for easy trailering or motoring into knee-deep water, so a buyer should confirm the lifting mechanism and pivot show no damage from grounding or neglected operation anchor. The outboard hangs between the rudders, a location worth checking for corrosion or impact marks on the rudder cheeks and transom structure. The twin angled rudders and wide flat stern are load-bearing surfaces; look for gelcoat crazing or repair at the rudder roots. The fold-down mast, if fitted, should be checked for wear at the hinge and any standing-rigging modifications tied to the backstay-less layout.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
First 20s are typically found in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, and Ireland. For a shopper, the short list is: confirm the lifting keel operates smoothly, inspect the rudder and outboard mount area for impact or corrosion, verify the fold-down mast hardware if present, and prefer a boat with the optional water tank and folding table for usable weekends. The design is coherent and modern, so a clean example needs little beyond normal trailerable-boat care.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Beneteau First 20. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 3 | $27,704 | — |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $32,909 | +18.8% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $42,215 | +28.3% |
| Oct 26 | 1 | $27,822 | -34.1% |
Where they're listed
Beneteau First 20 listings appear across 3 countries. Canada has the most listings with 1 (33.3%), followed by Germany and United Kingdom.
Country view
3 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $42,215 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| Germany | $32,909 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
| United Kingdom | $27,822 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneteau First 21.7 | 21' | $ 22,010 | 24 | 6 |
| Schock Harbor 20 | 20' | $ 20,000 | 13 | 4 |
| Jeanneau Sun Fast 20 | 21' | $ 10,108 | 8 | 3 |
| Beneteau First 20You are here | — | $ 32,891 | 3 | 2 |