The Beneteau Antares 8 2022 vs Beneteau First 24 2018 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 8 2022 at 26,5 ft versus Beneteau First 24 2018 at 24,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Antares 8 2022 tips the scales at 5 609 lbs — 3 647 lbs more than the Beneteau First 24 2018 at 1 962 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 Beneteau Antares 8 2022 carries a rated maximum of 250 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau First 24 2018 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Antares 8 2022 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Beneteau First 24 2018 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Antares 8 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Antares 8 2022 displaces 5 609 lbs — a 3 647-lb difference over the Beneteau First 24 2018 at 1 962 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 24 2018 draws 6,7 ft, compared to 2,7 ft for the Beneteau Antares 8 2022. That 4,0-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.
The Beneteau Antares 8 2022 has a documented auxiliary engine of 250 hp.
The Beneteau First 24 2018 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 2022 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 24 2018 at 1 962 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.