Beneteau First 26 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Beneteau First 26 means looking at a compact cruiser-racer from the 1980s, designed by Jean-Marie Finot and aimed at weekend sailors and small families. These are coastal boats built for daysailing and near-shore cruising rather than offshore work, so a buyer should weigh simplicity and handling ease over voyaging capability.
Layouts on the Used Market
The First 26 was offered with a standard fin keel and also a swing-keel version for thinner water. Below, the practical but modest accommodations generally sleep four, using a forward V-berth and main-cabin settees. The layout is ergonomic and efficiently uses the wide beam, though headroom is limited and the galley and head are basic but functional. Extended-cruise comforts are minimal, so judge any boat against weekend-use expectations.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Safety gear is part of the original design intent: sturdy lifelines and good deck non-skid surfaces should be present and in sound condition. A transom-hung rudder is often fitted and worth inspecting for play. Beyond those items, evaluate sail inventory, rigging, and engine on their own merits rather than assuming upgrades.
What to Inspect
The boat is best suited for coastal cruising and daysailing rather than offshore bluewater passages, so confirm the hull, rig, and systems reflect that history and have not been pressed into harder service. Check the swing-keel trunk if fitted, and verify the fractional rig’s tuning hardware and lifelines for fatigue from short-handed sailing.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the First 26 include Ireland, Denmark, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. For a buyer, the takeaway is straightforward:
- Confirm fin or swing keel and inspect the trunk if swing
- Verify lifelines, non-skid, and transom-hung rudder condition
- Expect basic galley/head and limited headroom below
- Treat her as a coastal and daysail boat, not an offshore candidate
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Beneteau First 26. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 3 | $10,606 | — |
| Oct 25 | 2 | $5,564 | -47.5% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $11,089 | +99.3% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $11,089 | 0.0% |
| May 26 | 1 | $9,943 | -10.3% |
| Oct 26 | 1 | $4,203 | -57.7% |
Where they're listed
Beneteau First 26 listings appear across 3 countries. Switzerland has the most listings with 2 (50.0%), followed by Ireland and Netherlands.
Country view
4 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $5,044 | 2 | 1 | 50.0% |
| Ireland | $9,943 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Netherlands | $11,089 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneteau First 285 | 28.16' | $ 17,500 | 45 | 14 |
| Catalina Capri 26 | 26.17' | $ 9,999 | 37 | 4 |
| BENETEAU First 29 | 29.67' | $ 19,322 | 24 | 7 |
| Beneteau First 24 | 24.61' | $ 8,617 | 23 | 8 |
| Beneteau First 25 | 24.61' | $ 8,401 | 11 | 4 |
| Beneteau First 26You are here | — | $ 9,943 | 5 | 1 |