The Beneteau First 27 2018 vs Beneteau Oceanis 311 1997 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 Oceanis 311 1997 measures 32,4 feet overall (1997), giving it roughly 6,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 27 2018 at 26,2 feet (2018). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Oceanis 311 1997 tips the scales at 8 047 lbs — 5 005 lbs less than the Beneteau First 27 2018 at 3 042 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 27 2018 carries a rated maximum of 10 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau Oceanis 311 1997 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 Oceanis 311 1997 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Beneteau First 27 2018 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Oceanis 311 1997 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Oceanis 311 1997 displaces 8 047 lbs — a 5 005-lb difference over the Beneteau First 27 2018 at 3 042 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 27 2018 draws 6,5 ft, compared to 4,1 ft for the Beneteau Oceanis 311 1997. That 2,4-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 27 2018 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Beneteau First 27 2018 uses a 1 tiller versus a 1 wheel on the Beneteau Oceanis 311 1997. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The Beneteau First 27 2018 has a documented auxiliary engine of 10 hp.
The Beneteau First 27 2018 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 7,2 knots for the Beneteau Oceanis 311 1997 and 6,9 knots for the Beneteau First 27 2018.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Oceanis 311 1997 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 8 047 lbs displacement and 32 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 27 2018 at 3 042 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.