The Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 vs Beneteau First Class 8 1994 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 Class 8 1994 measures 25,4 feet overall (1994), giving it roughly 4,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 at 21,0 feet (2004). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First Class 8 1994 tips the scales at 3 100 lbs - 355 lbs less than the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 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 Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 carries a rated maximum of 11 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau First Class 8 1994 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau First Class 8 1994 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 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 First Class 8 1994 could be the deciding factor.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket - 2 745 lbs for the Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 and 3 100 lbs for the Beneteau First Class 8 1994. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Both boats draw a similar depth - 5,1 ft and 5,8 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 has a documented auxiliary engine of 11 hp.

The Beneteau First 21.7 Swing keel 2004 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.