The Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 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 9,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 at 26,5 feet (2020). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 36.7 2002 tips the scales at 12 941 lbs — 7 332 lbs less than the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 at 5 609 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 221-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 First 36.7 2002 carries 20 gallons versus 9 gallons in the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020. 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 8 Fishing 2020 caps at 8. 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.

Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First 36.7 2002 displaces 12 941 lbs — a 7 332-lb difference over the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 at 5 609 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 36.7 2002 draws 7,2 ft, compared to 2,7 ft for the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020. 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 8 Fishing 2020 carries a 250-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 26 gallons on the Beneteau Antares 8 Fishing 2020 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.