The Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 vs Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 49 2012 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 Flyer Gran Turismo 49 2012 measures 51,2 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 21,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 at 29,8 feet (1994). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 49 2012 tips the scales at 25 566 lbs — 18 842 lbs less than the Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 at 6 724 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 18 hp for the Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 and 2 hp for the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 49 2012. 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 Flyer Gran Turismo 49 2012 carries 172 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994. 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 Flyer Gran Turismo 49 2012 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 49 2012 could be the deciding factor.
The Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 has a documented displacement of 6 724 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.
The Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 uses fractional_rig_sloop rigging. The Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 has a documented auxiliary engine of 18 hp.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 carries 24 gallons versus 2 gallons on the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 49 2012 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 49 2012 at 51,2 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Beneteau First 300 Spirit 1994 at 29,8 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.