Beneteau First 29 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The First 29's interior follows a fairly consistent arrangement across production, with a forward V-berth, a main saloon with settee berths port and starboard, a compact galley, and a heads compartment. The Yachting Monthly test noted a forward-facing chart table and more shelving than the smaller First 285 — details that owners who cruise shorthanded have generally found useful. Three-cabin configurations turn up somewhat more commonly than two-cabin layouts on the used market, though both are available and neither is hard to find. The galley is practical for weekend and coastal cruising without being particularly spacious, and the saloon is comfortable for two; sleeping a third or fourth person becomes more of a stretch. Headroom throughout is what you would expect for the era and length class — adequate for most but not stand-up in every station.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Boats that have remained in active use rather than sitting idle tend to arrive on the market carrying a reasonable base of equipment. Autopilots are commonly fitted, reflecting the reality that owners who sail these boats offshore or shorthanded added them early and kept them. Chartplotters have largely replaced older paper-chart setups, and spinnakers — symmetrical is the more traditional fit on this hull — turn up with enough regularity that a well-found example should include one or a buyer should factor the addition into their thinking.

Among owner upgrades, solar panels and inverters appear often, particularly on boats that have been used for extended coastal passages or live-aboard stays at anchor. A bimini is a common addition on boats sailing in sunnier climates, and AIS transponders have become a standard fit on boats used in shipping lanes or offshore. Short-handed sailing gear — removable inner forestays, upgraded winches, better organization of line leads — is a frequent modification on First 29s in European waters where singlehanded and doublehanded sailing is culturally common.

Less frequently but not rarely, you encounter boats that have received a furling main, wind generators, or radar — typically boats that were rigged for extended offshore use. The furling main in particular is worth noting because it changes the sail plan in ways that affect both performance and inspection requirements.

What to Inspect

The First 29 dates from a period when Beneteau was producing boats at significant volume, and the hull laminate on examples from the early part of the production run (1983–1985) warrants careful osmotic blister inspection. Beneteau refined its gelcoat and laminate practices during the 1980s, so later boats tend to fare better, but any First 29 that has spent sustained time in warm water without epoxy barrier treatment should be surveyed for blistering before purchase. A professional hull survey with moisture meter readings is not optional on this vintage.

The keel-to-hull joint on fin-keel boats of this era is a perennial focus. The keel attachment and any sign of movement or weeping at the joint should be examined carefully; iron ballast keels common on production boats of this period are also prone to external rust staining and surface deterioration that can obscure more serious issues. The rudder bearings and pintles, along with the condition of the tiller or wheel steering components, deserve close attention on boats that have seen significant miles. The standing rigging should be treated as a replacement item unless its history can be documented, and chainplates — which on many 1980s Beneteau production boats pass through the deck with hardware that can allow water ingress — need to be pulled and inspected or pressure-tested.

Below decks, look for the classic symptoms of a boat that has sat: soft spots in the cabin sole, delamination around any deck hardware, and mildew or water staining around ports and hatches. The engine — typically a Volvo Penta auxiliary in the 18-horsepower range — is a simple, well-supported unit, but check the raw-water impeller history, the condition of the heat exchanger, and the hour meter against the visual wear on the motor mounts. Electrical systems on boats of this age are frequently a patchwork of original and aftermarket wiring; a tidy electrical panel with documented additions is a positive sign, while a nest of unlabeled additions is a reason to budget for rewiring.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The First 29 circulates widely across the markets where Beneteau historically had strong distribution: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Canada, and Germany are the most common hunting grounds, and boats from these regions represent the majority of what appears in broker inventories at any given time. The model's prevalence in Europe — particularly in France and the UK — means that parts, class knowledge, and owner community resources are relatively accessible, a meaningful advantage when buying a forty-year-old production boat.

For a buyer who wants a genuine performance-oriented coastal cruiser at the affordable end of the brokerage market, the First 29 is a credible choice provided the inspection holds up. The Groupe Finot hull is genuinely quick for the size and era, the interior is honest if modest, and the boat has been used seriously enough by enough owners that the failure modes are well understood. What the class does not reward is a buyer who skips the professional survey, ignores the keel joint, or overlooks the laminate condition in favor of a tidy cockpit and new cushions.

Pre-purchase checklist:

• Professional survey with moisture meter readings across the hull
• Keel-to-hull joint inspection for movement, weeping, or rust staining
• Chainplate inspection or deck hardware removal and re-bedding assessment
• Standing rigging age and condition review; plan for replacement if undocumented
• Engine service history, impeller condition, and motor mount wear
• Electrical system review for unlabeled additions or undersized wiring
• Sails inspected for UV degradation, blown seams, and batten pocket wear
• Topsides and underwater blister assessment; ask about prior barrier treatment history