The First 26 Beneteau is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.9′, the First 26 Beneteau tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.9′ LWL = 6.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
30.2%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
179
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
16.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.18
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
753lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
16.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.18
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the First 26 Beneteau sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
J/80
129s/nm
Tanzer 26
216s/nm
Trapper 300
229s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.4 kts),
SA/D (16.4), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the First 26 Beneteau — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the First 26 Beneteau.
|
First 26 Beneteau |
Etap 26S |
J/80 |
Ranger 26 Mull |
Tanzer 26 |
Trapper 300 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
26.3 |
26.3 |
26.3 |
26.3 |
26.3 |
26.3 |
| LWL |
22.9 |
22.0 |
22.8 |
21.8 |
22.5 |
20.6 |
| Beam |
9.2 |
8.2 |
9.4 |
8.7 |
8.7 |
8.0 |
| Displacement |
4 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
| Ballast |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
291 |
327 |
338 |
322 |
282 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
129 |
— |
216 |
229 |
| SA/Disp |
16.4 |
20.9 |
24.8 |
15.9 |
17.0 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
30.2 |
27.8 |
42.7 |
— |
44.8 |
43.1 |
| Comfort |
16.2 |
16.0 |
17.9 |
22.1 |
16.0 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.18 |
2.07 |
1.80 |
1.93 |
2.13 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.4 |
6.3 |
6.9 |
6.3 |
6.4 |
— |