The Beneteau First 285 is a popular small cruiser/racer offering rewarding sailing performance together with surprisingly spacious accommodation for her size. Harmony is a 1989 lifting centreboard example which is now offered as a project requiring considerable refurbishment to her interior before returning to regular use. Externally, her hull presents reasonably well and she has a useful inventory including an 18hp Volvo Penta diesel engine, Raymarine chartplotter and a good selection of sails. An interesting opportunity for someone looking for a capable small cruiser to improve and recommission.
Viewing by appointment only through the Suffolk office – 01473 659681 or email: [email protected]
Accommodation
Offering up to six berths across 2 cabins and saloon with a conventional First 285 interior arrangement. Forward is the V-berth, with the main saloon amidships providing two further settee berths. Aft-facing chart table is situated to starboard with the galley opposite. The galley is equipped with a single-burner kerosene cooker. Separate heads compartment with manual marine toilet and wash basin. Aft double berth to port. The interior is currently in need of considerable refurbishment and is best regarded as a refit project.
Mechanical Systems
Located beneath the companionway is the original Volvo Penta 2002 two-cylinder, 18hp marine diesel engine. Shaft drive to a fixed two-bladed propeller with rope cutter. Single approximately 30 litre HDPE fuel tank. The owner advises that the engine was operational when the boat came out of the water and was subsequently tested ashore last year. It was partly serviced at that time and parts for completion of the service, including oil and an oil filter, are aboard. The engine was flushed after the boat came ashore and rust has been addressed.
Electrical Systems

1x 12v Domestic battery – age and state unknown
1x 12v Engine Start Battery – age and state unknown
1x 12v Windlass battery – age and state unknown
Alternator Charging
Shore Power Charging
240v Ring Mains

Sails and Spars
Fractionally rigged Bermudan sloop. Deck-stepped alloy mast and alloy boom. Stainless steel standing rigging and Terylene running rigging. Slab reefing mainsail with furling headsail system. Two Lewmar 30 sheet winches and two Lewmar 8 halyard winches. Lazyjacks and spinnaker pole.

2x Mainsail // Dacron //Servicable
2x Furling headsails // Dacron // Servicable
2x Genoas // Dacron // Servicable
Small Jib // Dacron // Servicable
Spinnaker // Servicable

Deck Equipment

20lb Delta anchor with approximately 35m chain/warp
Electric anchor windlass
Dodgers
Boom awning
Mainsail cover
Various Warps & Fenders
Boarding ladder

Navigation Equipment

Raymarine Axiom 9 chartplotter
Garmin GPS 190 XL
Icom IC-M330 DSC VHF radio
Combined speed/depth instrument
TackTick MN100-2 wind instrument
Autohelm ST2000+ tiller pilot
Two Plastimo Contest steering compasses
Clock and barometer

Safety Equipment

Jackstays
Danbuoy
Horseshoe Lifebuoy
Radar Reflector
Navigation Lights

Construction
Built by Beneteau in 1989 to a Groupe Finot design. GRP hull and deck with moulded non-slip deck surfaces. Tiller steering to a spade rudder. Iron lifting centreboard keel arrangement, giving a draft range of approximately 0.66m to 1.94m. The hull was last antifouled 2025
Disclaimer:
The company normally acts as brokers for the vendor who unless otherwise stated is not selling in the course of a business. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these particulars the correctness is not guaranteed and they are intended as a guide only and do not constitute a part of any contract. A prospective buyer is strongly advised to check these particulars and where appropriate and at their own expense to employ a qualified marine surveyor to carry out a survey and/or to have an engine trial conducted which if conducted by us shall not imply any liability on our part. General note on safety equipment: Any safety equipment such as liferaft, fire extinguishers and flares etc., are usually personal to the current owner(s) and if being left on board as part of the sale of a used vessel, may require routine servicing, replacement, or changing to meet the specific needs of the new owner(s).