Design and Construction
Jean-Marie Finot’s Groupe Finot designed the First 285 as a versatile 1980s racer-cruiser. The hull is solid fiberglass, while the deck uses end-grain balsa coring to provide panel stiffness without adding unnecessary weight aloft.
Inside, a molded pan incorporates the berth flats and cabin furniture. It also includes a grid bonded to the hull for stiffness. Ballast is cast iron, with two keel options: a bulb keel drawing 5 feet 3 inches and a wing keel drawing 3 feet 10 inches.
The generous 9-foot 10-inch beam provides good form stability. With a displacement-to-length ratio of 193, the design falls toward the lighter side for its era.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The First 285 carries a powerful 7/8 fractional rig on a deck-stepped, single-spreader mast. Beneath the deck, a compression post transfers the mast load to the structural grid. An adjustable split backstay allows the helm to tune fore-and-aft mast bend.
A partially balanced spade rudder makes the boat easy to maneuver on a relaxed cruise. The sail-area-to-displacement ratio is a modest 16.2, so the boat isn’t overcanvased. Even so, several owners say they struggled to sail to the base PHRF ratings of 183 to 186 seconds per mile for the bulb-keel version and 192 for the wing-keel boat.
Under power, the boat has an 18-horsepower Volvo and a folding propeller. Some owners report improved maneuverability and performance after fitting a larger, three-bladed feathering propeller.
Deck Layout and Accommodations
Buyers could choose either tiller or wheel steering, depending on whether they preferred a racier feel or more cockpit ease. A manual bilge pump is mounted in the starboard coaming, where it remains within reach.
The sugar-scoop transom serves as a proper boarding and swimming platform. Its swim ladder can be grabbed and deployed from the water, which is a genuine safety advantage. An opening portlight in the transom brings light and ventilation into the aft cabin.
Below, pressurized fresh water from a 10-gallon tank was standard. The boat also has a 6-gallon water heater—a seldom-seen comfort in a boat of this size—and 10 gallons of waste capacity.
Known Issues
Owner complaints tend to focus on deteriorating headliners and cracked portlights that eventually leak. The path taken by that water is the real concern: moisture can collect where a plywood bulkhead meets the hull, potentially causing the bulkhead to delaminate.
The shower drains into the shallow bilge, an undesirable arrangement that leaves water where it isn’t wanted. These appear to be localized, inspectable faults rather than widespread structural problems.
Refits and Ownership
The most frequently cited owner upgrade is replacing the original propeller with a larger, three-bladed feathering unit to improve handling under power.
Otherwise, the First 285’s systems are straightforward. Because the molded pan limits invasive modifications, ownership tends to center on maintaining seals and refreshing cosmetics rather than undertaking structural rework.
The Verdict
The First 285 is a thoughtfully packaged small Finot design. It trades a little PHRF pace for a beamy, comfortable cabin and a forgiving deck plan. The wing keel expands its cruising options in shallow water, while the bulb keel keeps it competitive at club level.
Owners need to watch the portlights and bilge drainage. In return, the boat offers easy maneuvering and a practical pocket-cruiser layout.
Pros
- Light, beamy hull with good form stability for its length
- Sugar-scoop transom with a swim ladder that can be deployed from the water
- Bulb- and wing-keel versions for racing or shallow-draft cruising
- 6-gallon water heater plus 10-gallon fresh-water and waste tanks as standard comforts
Cons
- Cracked portlights can leak, potentially causing plywood bulkheads to delaminate
- Shower drains into the shallow bilge
- Some owners report difficulty sailing to the base PHRF ratings
- Headliner deterioration is a common owner complaint
