The Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 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 12,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 at 22,1 feet (1980). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First Class 10 1987 tips the scales at 6 900 lbs — 2 932 lbs less than the Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 at 3 968 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 Evasion 22 1980 carries a rated maximum of 25 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 Evasion 22 1980 caps at 6. 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 First Class 10 1987 displaces 6 900 lbs — a 2 932-lb difference over the Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 at 3 968 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 3,4 ft for the Beneteau Evasion 22 1980. That 2,4-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 Evasion 22 1980 is rigged as a Sloop while the Beneteau First Class 10 1987 carries Fractional Sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. The Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 has a documented auxiliary engine of 25 hp.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First Class 10 1987 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 6 900 lbs displacement and 34 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 at 3 968 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.