The Beneteau Evasion 36 1990 vs Beneteau First Class 12 1986 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 12 1986 measures 39,3 feet overall (1986), giving it roughly 3,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Evasion 36 1990 at 35,5 feet (1990). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Evasion 36 1990 tips the scales at 12 125 lbs — 2 645 lbs more than the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 at 9 480 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 36 1990 carries a rated maximum of 43 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 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 12 1986 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Beneteau Evasion 36 1990 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Evasion 36 1990 displaces 12 125 lbs — a 2 645-lb difference over the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 at 9 480 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 12 1986 draws 6,9 ft, compared to 4,1 ft for the Beneteau Evasion 36 1990. That 2,8-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 36 1990 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau Evasion 36 1990 has a documented auxiliary engine of 43 hp.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Evasion 36 1990 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 12 125 lbs displacement and 36 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First Class 12 1986 at 9 480 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.