The Beneteau Antares 9 2022 vs Beneteau First Class 10 1987 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 10 1987 measures 34,3 feet overall (1987), giving it roughly 5,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Antares 9 2022 at 29,1 feet (2022). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Antares 9 2022 tips the scales at 9 387 lbs — 2 487 lbs more than the Beneteau First Class 10 1987 at 6 900 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 9 2022 carries a rated maximum of 200 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau First Class 10 1987 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 10 1987 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau Antares 9 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 10 1987 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Antares 9 2022 displaces 9 387 lbs — a 2 487-lb difference over the Beneteau First Class 10 1987 at 6 900 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 10 1987 draws 5,8 ft, compared to 2,1 ft for the Beneteau Antares 9 2022. That 3,6-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 9 2022 has a documented auxiliary engine of 200 hp.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Antares 9 2022 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 9 387 lbs displacement and 29 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First Class 10 1987 at 6 900 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.