The Beneteau Antares 9 2022 vs Beneteau First Class 8 1994 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 9 2022 measures 29,1 feet overall (2022), giving it roughly 3,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First Class 8 1994 at 25,4 feet (1994). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Antares 9 2022 tips the scales at 9 387 lbs — 6 287 lbs more than the Beneteau First Class 8 1994 at 3 100 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 8 1994 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 9 2022 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Beneteau First Class 8 1994 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 9 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Antares 9 2022 displaces 9 387 lbs — a 6 287-lb difference over the Beneteau First Class 8 1994 at 3 100 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 8 1994 draws 5,8 ft, compared to 2,1 ft for the Beneteau Antares 9 2022. That 3,7-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 8 1994 at 3 100 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.