Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 boat specs
Beneteau
Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977
1977
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VS
Beneteau First 34.7 2005 boat specs
Beneteau
Beneteau First 34.7 2005
2005
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Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 vs Beneteau First 34.7 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 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 Fin keel 1977 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 Fin keel 1977. 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 Fin keel 1977 caps at 8. 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 Fin keel 1977 has a documented displacement of 8 995 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,8 ft and 6,7 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 uses a 1 tiller 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 6,8 knots for the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977.

Bottom line: The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 at 34,0 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 at 29,5 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail29.50 ft
Length overall - Detail34.00 ft
Length - Feet29.5
Length - Feet34
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Meters10.36
Length overall - Inches354
Length overall - Inches408
Beam9.50 ft
Beam11.10 ft
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Meters3.38
Beam - Inches114
Beam - Inches133
Draft [max] - Detail5.80 ft
Draft [max] - Detail6.70 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.77
Draft [max] - Meters2.04
Draft [max] - Inches70
Draft [max] - Inches80
Displacement8995.00 lbs
Displacementnot available
Body / Hull
Rudder1 semi-spade rudder
Rudder1 spade rudder
Helm1 tiller
Helm1 wheel
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal19.8
Fuel tank capacity - Liters29.9
Fuel tank capacity - Liters74.95
Horsepower20 hp
Horsepower21 hp
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeinboard
Performance
Maximum speed6.76
Maximum speed7.17
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measureknots
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity4
Sleeping capacity5
Cabins1
Cabins1
Head1
Head1
Water capacity23.8
Water capacity26.4
RiggingSloop
RiggingSloop
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Mast ConfigurationKeel stepped mast
Boat typeSail
Boat typeSail
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal21.1
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters79.87

Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 vs Beneteau First 34.7 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 or the Beneteau First 34.7 2005?
The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 is the longer of the two at 34,0 feet overall. The Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 comes in at 29,5 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 is certified for 10. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the deeper draft — the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 or the Beneteau First 34.7 2005?
The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 has the deeper draft at 6,7 ft, versus 5,8 ft for the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.
Which is the faster sailboat — the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 or the Beneteau First 34.7 2005?
Based on rated hull speed, the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 has an edge at 7,2 knots versus 6,8 knots for the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977. Keep in mind that actual sailing speed depends heavily on wind conditions, sail trim, bottom condition, and skipper experience — hull speed is a theoretical maximum, not a guarantee.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 measures 133" wide, compared to 114" for the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 or the Beneteau First 34.7 2005?
The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 has the bigger tank at 20 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977. That 11-gallon difference translates to roughly 35–59 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 and Beneteau First 34.7 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Beneteau First 30 Fin keel 1977 and the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 are built by Beneteau. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.