The Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 vs Beneteau First 325 1984 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 Antares 11 OB 2021 at 32,6 ft versus Beneteau First 325 1984 at 34,1 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 tips the scales at 13 451 lbs — 3 751 lbs more than the Beneteau First 325 1984 at 9 700 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 272-hp advantage over the Beneteau First 325 1984's 28-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 carries 106 gallons versus 13 gallons in the Beneteau First 325 1984. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau First 325 1984 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First 325 1984 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 3 751-lb difference over the Beneteau First 325 1984 at 9 700 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.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Beneteau First 325 1984 draws 6,1 ft, compared to 2,7 ft for the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021. That 3,4-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.
For auxiliary power the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 carries a 300-hp engine against 28 hp on the Beneteau First 325 1984. 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 325 1984 at 9 700 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.