The Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 vs Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 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 Figaro 2 2003 measures 33,4 feet overall (2003), giving it roughly 9,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 at 23,5 feet (1986). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 tips the scales at 7 937 lbs — 3 903 lbs more than the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 at 4 034 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 10 hp for the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986. 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.
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 235 Fin keel 1986 caps at 7. 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 3 903-lb difference over the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 at 4 034 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 3,1 ft for the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986. That 4,0-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. For auxiliary power the Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 carries a 20-hp engine against 10 hp on the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986. 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 7,6 knots for the Beneteau Figaro 2 2003 and 6,1 knots for the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986.
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 235 Fin keel 1986 at 4 034 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.