The Beneteau Antares 7 2020 vs Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 393 2008 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 Oceanis Clipper 393 2008 measures 38,2 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 13,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Antares 7 2020 at 24,6 feet (2020). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 393 2008 tips the scales at 17 152 lbs — 12 995 lbs less than the Beneteau Antares 7 2020 at 4 157 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 200 hp, the Beneteau Antares 7 2020 has a 160-hp advantage over the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 393 2008's 40-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 7 2020 carries 45 gallons versus 36 gallons in the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 393 2008. 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 Oceanis Clipper 393 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Beneteau Antares 7 2020 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 393 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 393 2008 displaces 17 152 lbs — a 12 995-lb difference over the Beneteau Antares 7 2020 at 4 157 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 Oceanis Clipper 393 2008 draws 5,1 ft, compared to 2,7 ft for the Beneteau Antares 7 2020. That 2,4-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 7 2020 carries a 200-hp engine against 40 hp on the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 393 2008. 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 Oceanis Clipper 393 2008 carries 119 gallons versus 13 gallons on the Beneteau Antares 7 2020 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 393 2008 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 17 152 lbs displacement and 38 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau Antares 7 2020 at 4 157 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.