The Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 vs Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 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 Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 measures 35,1 feet overall (1980), giving it roughly 14,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 at 21,0 feet (2004). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 tips the scales at 12 125 lbs — 9 380 lbs more than the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 at 2 745 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 50 hp, the Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 has a 39-hp advantage over the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004's 11-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 Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 could be the deciding factor.

Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 displaces 12 125 lbs — a 9 380-lb difference over the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 at 2 745 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.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,1 ft and 5,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 uses a 2 wheels versus a 1 tiller on the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. For auxiliary power the Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 carries a 50-hp engine against 11 hp on the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.

The Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 is trailerable — a genuine advantage for sailors who prefer to keep their boat at home or explore multiple sailing venues. Hull speed is rated at 7,2 knots for the Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 and 6,0 knots for the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau Evasion 34 Fin keel 1980 carries 79 gallons versus 9 gallons on the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.