Beneteau 21.7 First Review, Specs and Used Buying Notes

A 21-foot Finot trailer sailer with a pivoting iron keel, twin kick-up rudders and enough foam in the hull to keep it afloat when flooded.

2004 to 2012 Discontinued Updated October 2026

For reference, Beneteau Oceanis 311 at anchor in the UK, not the Beneteau First 21.7. Photo: Timbow001, CC0, source

Length: 21 ft6.4 m
Beam: 8.1 ft2.48 m
Draft: 5.9 ft1.8 m
Cabins: 1 (forward double behind a curtain, open saloon)
Used price: $12K to $26K

On this page

Overview
One hull, five names, and where the 21.7 fits
Foam, liners and an injected deck
A cast iron keel on a worm screw and two kick-up blades
A sail plan one person can manage
Four berths and a curtain, not a yacht interior
On the road behind an SUV
How it sails and where people race it
Buying one in the US, and what it costs to keep
Specifications
Price and value
Strengths and weaknesses
Used buyer checklist
Rivals
Our verdict
FAQ

The Beneteau First 21.7 is a Groupe Finot lifting-keel trailer sailer built in France from 2004 until the First 20 took over around 2012. It sleeps four, tows behind a mid-size vehicle and was certified unsinkable.

Best for

Families stepping up from dinghies
Trailer sailing to different lakes and coasts
Shallow bays and beachable cruising
Club racing under PHRF on a small budget

Beneteau First 21.7 by the numbers

Plan view drawn to scale from the published length and beam.

Sail area to displacement: 22.1Plenty of sail for the weight, the boat should feel lively in light air.
Displacement to length: 160Light displacement for its length, quick but sensitive to added cruising weight.
Theoretical hull speed: 5.9 knThe practical top speed of a displacement monohull under normal sailing, based on waterline length.
Ballast ratio: 24%Relatively low ballast, form stability does more of the work.
Capsize screening: 2.33Above 2.0, so this hull leans toward coastal stability over ultimate offshore resistance.
Motion comfort ratio: 12.9A quicker motion in waves, typical of light, beamy hulls.
Length to beam ratio: 2.58 : 1A beamy hull with lots of volume for its length.

Length compared with the 69 performance sailboats we cover

Beneteau First 21.7

12 ft56 ft

One hull, five names, and where the 21.7 fits

Searching for a Beneteau 21.7 First tends to throw up three or four boats that look almost identical, and that is because they are. Groupe Finot drew a 21-foot lifting-keel cruiser for Beneteau in 1992, the First 210, and the yard kept the hull for two decades. The First 210 Spirit followed, then the First 211 in 1998, then the First 21.7 in 2004, then a refreshed 21.7 S, and finally the First 20 in 2012 with a square-top main. Sailboatdata and Wikipedia both describe the whole series as sharing the same basic hull, and SAIL called it a runaway success that still commanded high prices on the brokerage market a decade after launch.

The 21.7 is the version in the middle of that run. It took the proven Finot hull, gave it the light grey gelcoat, teak rubbing strake, pear-tinted joinery and lazy-bag sail plan of the .7 family (the 25.7 and 27.7 were launched alongside it), and pitched it at families who wanted a fast little boat they could tow to a different coast each summer. Yachting Monthly put the combined fleet of 210, 211 and 21.7 at around 2,300 boats, so parts knowledge and owner experience are easy to find even if the boats themselves are rare in American marinas.

Foam, liners and an injected deck

Beneteau marketed the 21.7 as a concentrate of its technology, and the 2006 inventory list backs that up. The hull is a single-skin GRP laminate with a structural inner moulding of unidirectional glass bonded and laminated to it, which carries loads from the shroud tie rods, keel and rudders. Buoyancy foam is distributed through the hull structure, and the boat was certified unsinkable to the French merchant navy standard of the time. The deck is injection moulded with a balsa core, which gives a stiffer and more consistent part than hand lay-up and keeps weight down high in the boat.

The hull-to-deck joint is covered by a teak toerail that is bonded and screwed in place. That detail matters on a used boat: the teak greys and checks over time, and loose screws in the rail are a common path for water into the joint. Inside, the structural beam for the mast is integrated into the coachroof moulding, which is why the saloon feels more open than the 211's.

A cast iron keel on a worm screw and two kick-up blades

The keel is the heart of the boat. It is a profiled cast iron fin that pivots on a pin and is raised or lowered with a manual worm-screw mechanism turned by a standard winch handle. Down, it draws 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) and puts weight deep for windward ability; up, the boat floats in 0.70 m (2 ft 4 in). On the 21.7 S, Beneteau listed the keel at 300 kg (661 lb). Adjustable pads in the keel box stop the fin rattling, and the factory treated the casting with an epoxy-based coating before assembly.

Steering is by twin GRP rudders hung on the transom and raised through a sleeve system, with a teak tiller and a universal-joint extension. The twin blades keep grip when the boat heels and let you dry out on the keel stub and rudders in a tidal harbor. Sailboatdata calculates a sail area to displacement ratio of about 22 and a displacement to length ratio of about 161, numbers that put the 21.7 well into the lively end of trailer sailers.

A sail plan one person can manage

The rig is a deck-stepped 9/10 fractional aluminum mast with a single set of aft-swept spreaders, a 1x19 wire backstay with a tackle, and two shrouds plus aft lowers. Standard sails were a four-batten main of 13.8 m2 (149 sq ft) with two reefs and lazy jacks, and a 110 percent roller-furling genoa of 11.4 m2 (123 sq ft). The asymmetric spinnaker kit with a small pole carried 31.1 m2, and a symmetric spinnaker of 34.8 m2 was also available. Air draft is about 10.40 m (34 ft 1 in).

All the principal control lines run aft to four jammers on the coachroof and two Harken H08A winches, one each side, which handle sheets, halyards and reefing. The mainsheet is a four-part tackle on a snap shackle in the cockpit sole, so it can be unclipped to clear the cockpit at the dock. When Cruising World reviewed the original 210, Herb McCormick noted that the wide spreader base rules out an overlapping genoa; that remains true here, so light-air speed comes from a well-cut main and an asymmetric rather than a big headsail.

Four berths and a curtain, not a yacht interior

Below, the 21.7 is honest about its size. Forward is a double berth with a 1.90 m by 1.40 m mattress, separated from the saloon by a fabric curtain on a pole. The saloon has two single berths of 2.20 m by 0.60 m either side of the keel case, with stowage under them and under the cockpit. A sink sits in the galley area with space left for a hob, and the companionway hatch hinges up to give a little more headroom while you cook. There is no enclosed head; a chemical toilet was an option.

Most boats were ordered with the Yacht Club pack, which added hull-length storage nets, a stainless movable stove with a storage case, a 35 L fresh water tank with a manual pump, a saloon or cockpit table, a bulkhead compass and teak-slatted cockpit benches. If a boat you are looking at lacks that pack, adding the water tank and stove retroactively is easy, but the nets and teak slats are worth checking for. The later 21.7 S brought a new interior style with blond oak joinery and parquet-style flooring.

On the road behind an SUV

At 8 ft 2 in wide the 21.7 sits inside the standard US trailer width, so no oversize permit is needed. Add a braked single-axle trailer, an outboard and cruising gear and you are towing roughly 3,500 to 4,000 lb, which suits a full-size SUV or a pickup rather than a family sedan. With the keel wound up the boat floats in about two and a half feet, so a normal ramp works, though steep ramps make the twin rudders vulnerable if you forget to lift them.

Power comes from an outboard on a transom bracket. Beneteau rated the hull for 8 kW (11 hp) maximum in 2006 and 10 hp on the 21.7 S, but most owners find a 4 to 6 hp four-stroke long-shaft more than enough for a 2,745 lb boat, and a lighter motor keeps the stern from squatting.

How it sails and where people race it

The 21.7 inherited the 210's reputation for being quick for its length. The 210 was Sailing World's 1993 Daysailer and Weekender Boat of the Year, and Steve Henkel later noted that its PHRF number put it close to a J/24, a larger purpose-built racer. Hull speed works out at about 5.9 knots, but the light, fine-bowed hull and generous main let it surf readily on a reach in a breeze. Upwind, keep the keel fully down and locked; sailing with it partly raised costs pointing and puts strain on the pivot.

Class racing for the First 21 family has existed in France, Britain and Ireland, which keeps used values firm in Europe. In the US, expect to race a 21.7 under PHRF in a mixed fleet; there is no domestic one-design class to lean on, so its appeal here is as a fast pocket cruiser and a teaching boat for a family stepping up from dinghies.

Buying one in the US, and what it costs to keep

Because the 21.7 was built for European buyers, many US shoppers end up comparing an imported boat with a domestic J/22 or Catalina 22. Expect asking prices around $12,000 to $26,000 depending on year, trailer and sails. A well-sorted 21.7 S with a galvanized braked trailer and a newer main sits at the top of that band, while early boats needing keel work belong at the bottom.

Running costs are modest if the boat lives on its trailer: roughly $1,800 to $4,500 a year for insurance, storage, an occasional haulout and outboard service, with new sails the big periodic expense.

Beneteau First 21.7 specifications

Length overall	21 ft6.4 m
Waterline length	19.7 ft6 m
Beam	8.1 ft2.48 m
Draft	5.9 ft1.8 m
Air draft	34.1 ft10.39 m
Displacement	2,745 lbs1,245 kg
Ballast	661 lbs3 kg
Sail area	271 sq ft25.2 m²
Fresh water	9 gal35 L
Cabins	1 (forward double behind a curtain, open saloon)
Berths	4 (forward double plus two saloon singles)
Heads	None fitted as standard; portable chemical toilet optional
Maximum persons	6
Standard engines	Outboard on transom bracket (engine not included in base boat)
Maximum power	11 hp
Hull type	Light displacement monohull with foam buoyancy compartments (unsinkable rating)
Keel	Pivoting cast iron swing keel, 0.70 m (2 ft 4 in) up to 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) down, wound by a worm-screw and winch handle
Rig	Fractional 9/10 aluminum sloop, single aft-swept spreader, furling 110 percent genoa
Hull construction	Single-skin GRP hull with bonded structural inner moulding and buoyancy foam, injection-moulded balsa-cored deck
CE design category	C
Builder	Chantiers Beneteau, France
Naval architect	Groupe Finot (later Finot-Conq et Associes)
Production	2004 to 2012
Status	Discontinued

Figures come from builder documentation and independent tests where available. Displacement is usually quoted light, so a loaded cruising boat will weigh more. Compare these specs with another model.

How much does a Beneteau First 21.7 cost?

New, typical sail-awayNo longer built

Used, typical asking$12K to $26K

Yearly running costs$2K to $5K

The 21.7 was a European-market boat first, so US examples are scarce. Asking prices depend on the trailer, the sail inventory and whether the keel mechanism has been rebuilt. These are 2026 US estimates rather than figures from current listings, and an import should be valued after shipping.

Estimated used asking prices by model year, US market, 2026

Estimate your yearly cost

Purchase price Engine hours per year Slip rate per foot per month Fuel price per gallon

A planning estimate using common rules of thumb: insurance near 1.5 percent of value, maintenance near 3 percent, haul out and bottom paint by length. Your marina, region and use will move these numbers. Open the full cost calculator.

Versions and options

First 21.7 (2004): Groupe Finot hull with pivoting cast iron keel, twin kick-up rudders, Harken H08A winches, pear-tinted joinery and light grey gelcoat. CE C6, outboard up to 11 hp.
First 21.7 S: Later refresh credited to Finot Conq et Associes with a new interior style in blond oak, parquet-style flooring and updated upholstery. Same hull and 1,245 kg displacement, outboard rated to 10 hp.
Siblings on the same hull: First 210 (1992 to 1997) and First 211 (1998 to 2004) came before; the First 20 (from 2012) followed with a square-top main and a backstay-free rig.

Beneteau First 21.7 timeline

1992Groupe Finot's First 210 launches the 21-foot lifting-keel hull.
1998The First 211 update improves the accommodation for four.
2004The First 21.7 replaces the 211 alongside the new 25.7 and 27.7.
2011Equipment lists show the 21.7 S with a restyled interior.
2012Beneteau launches the First 20 as the next evolution of the same boat.

Strengths and weaknesses

What owners like

Pivoting keel gives 5 ft 11 in of draft for sailing and 2 ft 4 in for ramps and beaches
Foam buoyancy and an unsinkable rating are rare at this price
Twin rudders keep control when heeled and allow drying out
All lines led aft to two winches, easy for one or two people
Strong European class following and a deep pool of owner knowledge

What to weigh up

Sitting headroom only and no enclosed head
Wide spreader base rules out an overlapping genoa for light air
Few boats in the US, so buying often means importing
Worm-screw keel mechanism and pivot need regular attention
Teak toerail over the hull-deck joint needs maintenance to stay watertight

Used Beneteau First 21.7 buyer checklist

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Wind the keel fully up and down; listen for grinding in the worm screw and check for play at the pivot pin
Inspect the keel casting for rust bleeding through the epoxy coating, especially at the leading edge
Check the adjustable keel pads in the case and look for cracks in the keel box moulding
Work both rudder sleeves and check the blades for impact damage from ramps
Test the hull-deck joint under the teak toerail for loose screws and leaks
Look for crazing in the structural inner moulding around the shroud tie rods
Confirm the buoyancy foam has not been cut out to create stowage
Inspect the trailer for corroded axles, worn bunks and working brakes

Always commission an independent marine survey and an engine survey before you buy. How a marine survey works.

Rivals to consider

J/22

A fixed-keel one-design with a big US fleet, faster around the cans and easier to race, but with less cruising space and a deeper draft on the trailer.

Compare side by side

Catalina 22

The American default trailer sailer, heavier and roomier with a swing keel, plentiful and cheap but slower and less refined under sail.

Compare side by side

Beneteau First 20

The direct successor on the same hull with a square-top main and more sail area, newer and pricier on the used market.

Compare side by side

Jeanneau Sun 2000

The French rival from Jeanneau with a similar lifting-keel trailer sailer brief and comparable European pricing.

Our verdict on the Beneteau First 21.7

The First 21.7 is the sweet spot of a design that Beneteau barely needed to change for twenty years. It sails like a bigger boat, tows like a smaller one and forgives the mistakes of a family learning the ropes, while the foam buoyancy and twin rudders add a safety margin few 21-footers offer. The catch for American buyers is availability: you will likely be shopping an import or a rare domestic boat, and the keel mechanism and trailer deserve as much scrutiny as the hull. Find a 21.7 S with a good trailer and a recent keel service and you have one of the most capable small cruisers ever built for the money.

Beneteau First 21.7 questions answered

Is the Beneteau 21.7 First trailerable?

Yes. Its 8 ft 2 in beam is within the US trailer width limit and the keel winds up to 2 ft 4 in of draft, so it launches from a normal ramp.

Is the Beneteau First 21.7 unsinkable?

Beneteau fitted buoyancy foam throughout the hull and certified the boat unsinkable to the French merchant navy standard of the time. That rating depends on the foam still being in place on a used boat.

What is the difference between the Beneteau 21.7 and the First 211?

They share the same Finot hull and keel concept. The 21.7 added an integrated coachroof beam for more interior space, new joinery and hardware, and a lazy-bag sail plan; the 211 is the earlier, simpler version.

What outboard suits a Beneteau 21.7?

Beneteau rated it for up to 11 hp (10 hp on the 21.7 S), but a 4 to 6 hp long-shaft four-stroke is the usual choice and keeps weight off the transom.

How many people can sleep on a First 21.7?

Four, two in the forward double and two on the saloon singles. CE category C allowed up to six people aboard for day sailing.

How much is a Beneteau 21.7 for sale in the US?

Expect roughly $12,000 to $26,000 in 2026 depending on year, trailer and sails, with the later 21.7 S at the upper end.

Photos from the Beneteau range

We have not found a freely licensed photo of the Beneteau First 21.7 yet, so these show other Beneteau boats, each captioned with the boat pictured.

More performance sailboats to explore

Beneteau First 20

Performance Sailboats, 21 ft

Used $19K to $37K

Beneteau First 211

Performance Sailboats, 21 ft

Used $9K to $20K

J/22

Performance Sailboats, 23 ft

Used $3K to $22K

Pearson Ensign

Performance Sailboats, 23 ft

Used $2K to $35K

Other Beneteau models

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