The Beneteau First 14 SE 2017 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 24,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 14 SE 2017 at 14,1 feet (2017). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 14 SE 2017 tips the scales at 22 287 lbs - 7 736 lbs more than the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 at 14 551 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 First 38S5 1989 tops out at 43 hp. Engine specs for the Beneteau First 14 SE 2017 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
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 First 14 SE 2017 caps at 4. 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.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First 14 SE 2017 displaces 22 287 lbs - a 7 736-lb difference over the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 at 14 551 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 38S5 1989 draws 6,2 ft, compared to 4,0 ft for the Beneteau First 14 SE 2017. That 2,2-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 First 38S5 1989 has a documented auxiliary engine of 43 hp.
The Beneteau First 14 SE 2017 is trailerable, giving it a significant lifestyle advantage for sailors who want to move between lakes, rivers, and coastal waters without committing to a marina slip.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 14 SE 2017 is the offshore and bluewater choice - at 22 287 lbs displacement and 14 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 38S5 1989 at 14 551 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option - easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.