The Beneteau First 20 2013 vs Beneteau First 35 2016 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 35 2016 measures 35,7 feet overall (2016), giving it roughly 14,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 20 2013 at 21,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 35 2016 tips the scales at 12 125 lbs — 9 380 lbs less than the Beneteau First 20 2013 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 10 hp for the Beneteau First 20 2013 and 29 hp for the Beneteau First 35 2016. 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 First 35 2016 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau First 20 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First 35 2016 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First 35 2016 displaces 12 125 lbs — a 9 380-lb difference over the Beneteau First 20 2013 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.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Beneteau First 35 2016 draws 7,6 ft, compared to 5,1 ft for the Beneteau First 20 2013. That 2,5-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.
Helm style differs too: the Beneteau First 20 2013 uses a 1 tiller versus a 1 wheel on the Beneteau First 35 2016. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. For auxiliary power the Beneteau First 35 2016 carries a 29-hp engine against 10 hp on the Beneteau First 20 2013. 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 20 2013 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. Hull speed is rated at 7,4 knots for the Beneteau First 35 2016 and 6,0 knots for the Beneteau First 20 2013.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 35 2016 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 20 2013 at 2 745 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.