The Beneteau First 22 1978 vs Beneteau First 36S7 1995 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 36S7 1995 measures 35,1 feet overall (1995), giving it roughly 13,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 22 1978 at 22,1 feet (1978). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 tips the scales at 12 787 lbs — 8 841 lbs less than the Beneteau First 22 1978 at 3 946 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 22 1978 carries a rated maximum of 10 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 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 36S7 1995 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau First 22 1978 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 36S7 1995 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First 36S7 1995 displaces 12 787 lbs — a 8 841-lb difference over the Beneteau First 22 1978 at 3 946 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 36S7 1995 draws 6,1 ft, compared to 3,6 ft for the Beneteau First 22 1978. 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.
The Beneteau First 22 1978 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau First 22 1978 has a documented auxiliary engine of 10 hp.
The Beneteau First 22 1978 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 7,5 knots for the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 and 5,9 knots for the Beneteau First 22 1978. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 carries 79 gallons versus 13 gallons on the Beneteau First 22 1978 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 36S7 1995 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 12 787 lbs displacement and 35 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 22 1978 at 3 946 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.