The Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 vs Beneteau First 36.7 2002 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 First 36.7 2002 measures 36,0 feet overall (2002), giving it roughly 3,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 at 32,6 feet (2021). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 tips the scales at 13 451 lbs — 510 lbs more than the Beneteau First 36.7 2002 at 12 941 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 271-hp advantage over the Beneteau First 36.7 2002's 29-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 20 gallons in the Beneteau First 36.7 2002. 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 36.7 2002 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 36.7 2002 could be the deciding factor.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 13 451 lbs for the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 and 12 941 lbs for the Beneteau First 36.7 2002. 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 36.7 2002 draws 7,2 ft, compared to 2,7 ft for the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021. That 4,5-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 29 hp on the Beneteau First 36.7 2002. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.

For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau First 36.7 2002 carries 72 gallons versus 53 gallons on the Beneteau Antares 11 OB 2021 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.