Beneteau First 25 S Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The First 25 S measures 25 feet 11 inches overall, with a 9-foot beam and a displacement of 4,739 pounds. It’s a compact monohull that still feels substantial.

Forward, the hull’s deep V minimizes pounding into waves when sailing to weather. Flatter sections aft help keep the boat upright under sail and reduce rolling at anchor. Because the transom is beamier than its predecessor’s, the design uses twin rudders to keep the boat tracking. That broad stern also makes room for a transom-mounted traveler, which keeps the mainsheet clear of the cockpit.

The lifting-keel version draws 6 feet 1 inch with the keel down and retracts into the centerboard trunk for shoal draft. The fixed keel draws 4 feet 9 inches. The 1.85 m lifting keel improves close-hauled performance and opens any sort of anchorage to the crew.

Rig and Handling

The rig is unconventional and liberating. An unstayed, 9/10th aluminum deck-stepped mast rises 41 feet above the waterline. It has a single set of aft-swept spreaders and no backstay.

The absence of stays makes it easy to reach the bow and allows for a large flat-top mainsail that provides plenty of power. A slightly overlapping furling genoa means the crew doesn’t have to go forward to haul out a jib when setting sail. Cabin-top winches handle both the halyards and genoa sheets, keeping the layout clean. Steering is by tiller rather than wheel.

Under sail, the First 25 S stands out for its slender profile. Its stability and easy maneuvering make it a reassuring cruiser, even at a fast pace. Boats.com noted that it sails better than the original First 25.

Accommodations

Below, the builder gained generous saloon space by incorporating the mast prop into the forward bulkhead. Light-colored teak woodwork runs throughout the interior.

The forward V-berth serves as the master stateroom. It’s reached through a passage with a sink on one side and a marine head on the other, with a space-saving sliding door for privacy. The stateroom is snug, with 5 feet 1 inch of vertical space. At the companionway, headroom accommodates anyone under 5 feet 10 inches.

In the saloon, twin settees flank a drop-leaf table. The starboard settee converts into a double berth, allowing four people to sleep aboard. The complete galley to port has a sink with a manual water pump, a polyester top-loading ice box, and an optional gimbaled one-burner stove. A dedicated aft-facing nav station, plentiful cubbyholes, and stowage beneath the benches complete a layout suited to real cruising.

Equipment and Power

Auxiliary power comes from a 14 HP Yanmar diesel driving a straight shaft, with underwater exhaust. An eight-gallon fuel tank feeds the engine, while an 11-gallon roto-molded tank holds fresh water.

Standard Raymarine instruments mount on the cabin bulkhead. A multifunction display is optional, and a Tacktick/Raymarine electronics pack is also available. In 2016, a code zero joined the sail inventory alongside the square-top main, furling genoa, and optional asymmetric spinnaker.

The boat is trailerable, allowing an owner to launch and sail on a lake, bay, or ocean, either with friends or singlehanded.

The Verdict

The First 25 S succeeds as a rare combination: a sharp little racer with enough habitability for cruising. Its unstayed rig and clean deck layout reduce the effort of sailing short-handed. The lifting-keel version can make shoal creeks home waters, while the cabin is genuinely livable for a boat of this size.

The trade-offs are familiar for a 25-footer: limited headroom forward and modest tankage. Even so, the design’s lightness and tracking inspire confidence.

Pros

Unstayed rig and flat-top main make bow access and sail handling easier
Lifting keel opens shoal anchorages while improving close-hauled speed
Twin rudders and a beamy transom improve tracking and reduce rolling at anchor
Four-berth interior includes a proper galley and nav station for coastal cruising

Cons