The Beneteau First 30 JK 2010 vs Beneteau First 34.7 2005 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 20 hp for the Beneteau First 30 JK 2010 and 21 hp for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 carries 20 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Beneteau First 30 JK 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau First 30 JK 2010 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 could be the deciding factor.
The Beneteau First 30 JK 2010 has a documented displacement of 8 267 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 6,2 ft and 6,7 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Beneteau First 30 JK 2010 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Beneteau First 30 JK 2010 uses a 1 tiller (helm wheel in option) versus a 1 wheel on the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones.
Hull speed is rated at 7,2 knots for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 and 7,0 knots for the Beneteau First 30 JK 2010. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau First 30 JK 2010 carries 42 gallons versus 26 gallons on the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 30 JK 2010 and Beneteau First 34.7 2005 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.