The Beneteau First 27 2018 vs Beneteau Wizz 1981 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 27 2018 measures 26,2 feet overall (2018), giving it roughly 11,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Wizz 1981 at 14,5 feet (1981). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 27 2018 tips the scales at 3 042 lbs — 2 888 lbs more than the Beneteau Wizz 1981 at 154 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 Wizz 1981 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 27 2018 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Beneteau Wizz 1981 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First 27 2018 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First 27 2018 displaces 3 042 lbs — a 2 888-lb difference over the Beneteau Wizz 1981 at 154 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.
The Beneteau First 27 2018 is rigged as a Sloop while the Beneteau Wizz 1981 carries fractional_rig_sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. The Beneteau First 27 2018 has a documented auxiliary engine of 10 hp.
Both the Beneteau First 27 2018 and Beneteau Wizz 1981 are listed as trailerable, which opens up the freedom to explore different sailing grounds without paying for a permanent berth.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 27 2018 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 3 042 lbs displacement and 26 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau Wizz 1981 at 154 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.