The Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2012 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 Swift Trawler 34S 2012 measures 36,6 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 14,5 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 Evasion 22 1980 tips the scales at 3 968 lbs — 2 365 lbs more than the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2012 at 1 603 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2012 has a 400-hp advantage over the Beneteau Evasion 22 1980's 25-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2012 is rated for 11 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 Swift Trawler 34S 2012 could be the deciding factor.

The Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 has a documented displacement of 3 968 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.

The Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 has a documented auxiliary engine of 25 hp.

For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2012 carries 85 gallons versus 13 gallons on the Beneteau Evasion 22 1980 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.