Design and Construction
Beneteau launched the First 25.7 in 2004 as a new model in the First range, and the boat makes no attempt to disguise its performance-family lineage. She measures 7.90 meters overall, with a waterline length of 24.11 feet and a beam of 9.06 feet.
The hull and deck are solid fiberglass. A centerboard-style, trailer-sailer lifting keel draws 6.07 feet when lowered and 2.79 feet when raised. Its 1,433 pounds of iron ballast contributes to a displacement of 4,740 pounds and a ballast-displacement ratio of 30.23. The displacement-length ratio is near 151.
Exterior details include a light grey gel coat, new hull portholes, and a teak strake. Beneteau described the model as incorporating cutting-edge technology.
Rig and Handling
The First 25.7 carries a fractional sloop rig with 400 square feet of sail area. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 22.68 supports lively performance, and the boat offers clear practical accommodations for racing and day sailing. The builder offered “new generation” sails with a lazy bag and an optional asymmetric spinnaker.
Period reporting records a top speed of 10 knots and notes that five sailors had great fun racing the boat around the Solent, indicating her responsiveness with a crew. Aluminium winches are fitted on deck, consistent with a simple, low-overhead rig for short-handed or family sailing. The lifting keel makes the boat more manageable ashore.
Accommodation
Below, the First 25.7 has berths for four or five people, including a forward double vee berth. She also provides a heads compartment and a galley with a sink and tiny stove.
Light-coloured, pear-toned woodwork and new upholstery give the compact cabin a bright, contemporary feel. These are genuine cruising accommodations, though inevitably limited by the boat’s size.
Engine, Tankage, and Trailering
A 14-horsepower Nanni diesel with direct drive provides auxiliary power. Fuel capacity is 8 gallons, and the boat carries 10 gallons of water. That modest tankage frames the First 25.7 as a minimalist cruiser rather than a long-range liveaboard.
Writing in Yachting World, an owner describes keeping the boat parked on a driveway during winter, thanks to the trailer-sailer lifting keel. This gives owners without a year-round berth a practical option for storage ashore.
The Verdict
The First 25.7 is a compact, Finot-designed expression of the Beneteau First ethos: a lifting-keel pocket racer with genuine cabin accommodation and a modern, light interior. She’s quick for her size and easy to store ashore, but her scale limits cruising capacity.
Pros
- Lifting centerboard keel enables trailering and winter storage on a driveway
- Bright, pear-toned interior with practical berths for four or five
- Spirited performance, with a reported 10-knot top speed and a record of enjoyable club racing
Cons
- Tiny galley and limited tankage suit only minimalist cruising
- Sub-26-foot length restricts accommodation and offshore ambition
