The Beneteau Antares 8 2022 vs Beneteau First Class 12 1986 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 Class 12 1986 measures 39,3 feet overall (1986), giving it roughly 12,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Antares 8 2022 at 26,5 feet (2022). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 tips the scales at 9 480 lbs — 3 871 lbs less than the Beneteau Antares 8 2022 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 Beneteau Antares 8 2022 carries a rated maximum of 250 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 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 First Class 12 1986 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Beneteau Antares 8 2022 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 Class 12 1986 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First Class 12 1986 displaces 9 480 lbs — a 3 871-lb difference over the Beneteau Antares 8 2022 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 Class 12 1986 draws 6,9 ft, compared to 2,7 ft for the Beneteau Antares 8 2022. That 4,2-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.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First Class 12 1986 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 9 480 lbs displacement and 39 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau Antares 8 2022 at 5 609 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.