At 4,800 pounds displacement, the First 265 carries 1,430 pounds of iron ballast in a fin keel. Its 24-foot-17-inch waterline and nearly plumb bow give it more waterline than its slightly shorter overall length would suggest.
Design and Construction
The First 265 has a solid fiberglass hull and solid fiberglass deck. It rides on an external bolt-on lead keel drawing 4 feet 2 inches.
The molded sugar-scoop transom has a swim platform raised 9 inches above the water, with a small lip of the transom still projecting below it. A single lifeline with a pelican hook ropes off access to the platform. Testers described the low lifelines as being at tripping height, a detail that matters more at the dock than underway.
Below, varnished cherry bulkheads and trim complement a full teak sole. The practical dark green velvet upholstery is joined by eight opening ports and a forward hatch for light and air. Screens for the ports are standard, though the hatches don’t have them.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The fractional sloop rig has a deck-stepped mast supported by a compression strut in the cabin. The mast is mounted on a hinge so it can be lowered at bridges or trailer ramps, or for maintenance. Beneteau cautioned against lowering it without side-sway preventers.
An adjustable split backstay allows the helm to tune mast bend. Genoa sheets lead to cars on C-shaped aluminum cabintop tracks, which also serve as handrails. The companionway bridge deck extends well past the boom’s midpoint, so the mainsheet traveler can’t be moved forward. A standard tiller keeps the cockpit simple, and single-speed Lewmar #16 self-tailing winches handle the sheets.
The light hull accelerates quickly. In a test sailed under full canvas in 15 knots of steady wind and gusts to 20 knots, the boat heeled no more than 25 degrees close-hauled. Testers also judged it the faster boat in strong, shifting winds. Its PHRF rating is 168.
Cockpit and Deck
The cockpit seats have canted backs and integrated grab rails. At the dock, the boat accommodates no more than seven people.
The transom ladder has three steps, each 8-1/2 inches wide. The treads are only 1-1/4 inches across, formed by flattening the stainless-steel tubing.
Accommodations
The interior layout works best for a couple, with room for guests. A large aft double berth measures 60 by 77 inches and is arranged so its occupants sleep parallel to the keel.
Forward, the V-berth is 88 inches long. It narrows from 76 inches at the back to 19 inches at the tip, and the table drops easily to complete the berth.
The enclosed head sits opposite the galley. At the nav station, a small flat surface adds useful galley counter space. Storage is a strong point: three separate hanging lockers include an open-air unit in the head, and the First 265 has more stowage lockers than the Catalina 270.
Engine and Systems
The standard engine is a raw-water-cooled, single-cylinder Volvo producing 9 horsepower from 26 cubic inches. It sits in a plywood box lined with soft foam. On the test boat, access to both the engine and shaft log was very good. When the design appeared in the 1990s, Beneteau also offered an outboard version of the 265.
Tankage is modest, with a 16.25-gallon water tank and an 11.5-gallon holding tank. The gimbaled, two-burner non-pressure alcohol stove is adequate, but it reflects the boat’s minimalist cruising brief.
Verdict
The First 265 is a brisk, well-finished small cruiser-racer that offers more accommodation and stowage than its length might suggest. Its hull accelerates readily and stays upright in a breeze.
Iron ballast, modest tankage, and single-speed winches make it better suited to daysailing and weekend cruising than long-range work. The low, tripping-height lifelines and narrow transom-ladder treads also call for deliberate movement on deck.
Pros
- Quick, light hull with a good upwind angle and a 168 PHRF rating
- Generous berths, three hanging lockers, and class-leading stowage
- Varnished cherry and teak interior with eight opening ports
- Very good access to the engine and shaft log
Cons
- Low lifelines at tripping height and narrow, 1-1/4-inch transom-ladder treads
- The 9-hp raw-water-cooled Volvo was noted as less effective upwind than the engine in a comparably sized rival
- Small water and holding-tank capacities for extended stays
