The Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 vs Beneteau First 20 2013 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 8 Fishing 2020 measures 26,5 feet overall (2020), giving it roughly 5,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 20 2013 at 21,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 tips the scales at 5 609 lbs — 2 864 lbs more than the Beneteau First 20 2013 at 2 745 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 250 hp, the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 has a 240-hp advantage over the Beneteau First 20 2013'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 8 Fishing 2020 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Beneteau First 20 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 displaces 5 609 lbs — a 2 864-lb difference over the Beneteau First 20 2013 at 2 745 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 20 2013 draws 5,1 ft, compared to 2,7 ft for the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 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 8 Fishing 2020 carries a 250-hp engine against 10 hp on the Beneteau First 20 2013. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
The Beneteau First 20 2013 is trailerable — a genuine advantage for sailors who prefer to keep their boat at home or explore multiple sailing venues.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 5 609 lbs displacement and 27 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 20 2013 at 2 745 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.