The Beneteau Evasion 32 1973 vs Beneteau First 38S5 1989 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 38S5 1989 measures 38,5 feet overall (1989), giving it roughly 7,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Evasion 32 1973 at 31,1 feet (1973). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 tips the scales at 14 551 lbs — 1 874 lbs less than the Beneteau Evasion 32 1973 at 12 677 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 55 hp for the Beneteau Evasion 32 1973 and 43 hp for the Beneteau First 38S5 1989. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 32 gal and 32 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau First 38S5 1989 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Beneteau Evasion 32 1973 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 could be the deciding factor.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 12 677 lbs for the Beneteau Evasion 32 1973 and 14 551 lbs for the Beneteau First 38S5 1989. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Beneteau First 38S5 1989 draws 6,2 ft, compared to 4,7 ft for the Beneteau Evasion 32 1973. That 1,5-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 32 1973 is rigged as a Masthead-sloop while the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 carries Sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. For auxiliary power the Beneteau Evasion 32 1973 carries a 55-hp engine against 43 hp on the Beneteau First 38S5 1989. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.

Hull speed is rated at 7,4 knots for the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 and 6,6 knots for the Beneteau Evasion 32 1973. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 carries 98 gallons versus 53 gallons on the Beneteau Evasion 32 1973 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.