The Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 vs Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 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 Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 measures 36,0 feet overall (2020), giving it roughly 12,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 at 23,5 feet (1986). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 tips the scales at 16 027 lbs — 11 993 lbs less than the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 at 4 034 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 235 Fin keel 1986 carries a rated maximum of 10 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 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 Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 displaces 16 027 lbs — a 11 993-lb difference over the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 at 4 034 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.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 3,1 ft and 3,3 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 has a documented auxiliary engine of 10 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 37,2 knots for the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 and 6,1 knots for the Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 16 027 lbs displacement and 36 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 235 Fin keel 1986 at 4 034 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.