The Beneteau First 20 2013 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 2020 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 Swift Trawler 50 2020 measures 49,2 feet overall (2020), giving it roughly 28,2 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 Swift Trawler 50 2020 tips the scales at 35 264 lbs — 32 519 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 440 hp, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 2020 has a 430-hp advantage over the Beneteau First 20 2013's 10-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 2020 is rated for 15 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 Swift Trawler 50 2020 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 2020 displaces 35 264 lbs — a 32 519-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 20 2013 draws 5,1 ft, compared to 3,4 ft for the Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 2020. That 1,7-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.
For auxiliary power the Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 2020 carries a 440-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 25,0 knots for the Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 2020 and 6,0 knots for the Beneteau First 20 2013.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 2020 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 35 264 lbs displacement and 49 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.