The Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 vs Beneteau First 27 SE 2011 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 measures 32,6 feet overall (2021), giving it roughly 6,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 27 SE 2011 at 26,3 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 tips the scales at 13 451 lbs — 10 034 lbs more than the Beneteau First 27 SE 2011 at 3 417 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 has a 290-hp advantage over the Beneteau First 27 SE 2011's 10-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Beneteau First 27 SE 2011 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 displaces 13 451 lbs — a 10 034-lb difference over the Beneteau First 27 SE 2011 at 3 417 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 2,7 ft and 3,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
For auxiliary power the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 carries a 300-hp engine against 10 hp on the Beneteau First 27 SE 2011. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 13 451 lbs displacement and 33 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 27 SE 2011 at 3 417 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.