The Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994 vs Beneteau First 265 1990 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994 at 25,4 ft versus Beneteau First 265 1990 at 26,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994 tips the scales at 5 181 lbs — 772 lbs more than the Beneteau First 265 1990 at 4 409 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 14 hp for the Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994 and 18 hp for the Beneteau First 265 1990. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 8 gal and 8 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau First 265 1990 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First 265 1990 could be the deciding factor.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 5 181 lbs for the Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994 and 4 409 lbs for the Beneteau First 265 1990. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994 draws 6,1 ft, compared to 4,1 ft for the Beneteau First 265 1990. That 2,0-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 6,7 knots for the Beneteau First 265 1990 and 6,6 knots for the Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 260 Spirit Swing keel 1994 and Beneteau First 265 1990 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.