The Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 vs Beneteau First 21.7 S 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 Figaro 2 2003 measures 33,4 feet overall (2003), giving it roughly 13,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 21.7 S 2004 at 20,1 feet (2004). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 tips the scales at 7 937 lbs - 5 193 lbs more than the Beneteau First 21.7 S 2004 at 2 744 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 - 20 hp for the Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 and 20 hp for the Beneteau First 21.7 S 2004. 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 - 11 gal and 8 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau First 21.7 S 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 Figaro 2 2003 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 displaces 7 937 lbs - a 5 193-lb difference over the Beneteau First 21.7 S 2004 at 2 744 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 Figaro 2 2003 draws 7,1 ft, compared to 6,0 ft for the Beneteau First 21.7 S 2004. That 1,1-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 Figaro 2 2003 uses Sloop rigging.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 is the offshore and bluewater choice - at 7 937 lbs displacement and 33 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 21.7 S 2004 at 2 744 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option - easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.