Beneteau First 31.7 1997 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 is the longer of the two at 36,0 feet overall. The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 comes in at 31,6 feet, making it roughly 4,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013?

For trailering, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 has the edge at 1 642 lbs dry weight versus 8 267 lbs for the Beneteau First 31.7 1997. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 tops out at 21 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 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.

Q: What is the draft of the Beneteau First 31.7 1997?

The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 draws 6,2 ft. Draft determines which harbours, anchorages, and haul-out facilities are accessible — always verify with your local marina before purchase.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 measures 157" wide, compared to 128" for the Beneteau First 31.7 1997. 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.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 has the bigger tank at 211 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Beneteau First 31.7 1997. That 203-gallon difference translates to roughly 609–1015 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 and Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 and the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 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.

Boat Comparison

Beneteau First 31.7 1997 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013

Beneteau

Beneteau First 31.7 1997

1997

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Beneteau

Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Beneteau First 31.7 1997 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 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 Swift Trawler 34 2013 measures 36,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 4,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 at 31,6 feet (1997). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 tips the scales at 8 267 lbs — 6 625 lbs more than the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 at 1 642 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 has a 404-hp advantage over the Beneteau First 31.7 1997's 21-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 carries 211 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Beneteau First 31.7 1997. 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 Swift Trawler 34 2013 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 could be the deciding factor.

The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 has a documented displacement of 8 267 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.

The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 has a documented auxiliary engine of 21 hp.

For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 carries 85 gallons versus 42 gallons on the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.

Bottom line: The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 at 36,0 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 at 31,6 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail31.60 ft

Length overall - Detail36 ft. (10.98 m)

Length - Feet31.6

Length - Feet36

Length overall - Meters9.63

Length overall - Meters10.97

Length overall - Inches379

Length overall - Inches432

Beam10.70 ft

Beam13 ft. 1 in. (3.98 m)

Beam - Meters3.26

Beam - Meters3.99

Beam - Inches128

Beam - Inches157

Draft [max] - Detail6.20 ft

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters1.89

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches74

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Displacement8267.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail16,420 lbs. (7,450 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg7447.98

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.1642

Length [deck]not available

Length [deck]32 ft. 9 in. (9.98 m)

Body / Hull

Rudder1 spade rudder

Ruddernot available

Helm1 tiller

Helmnot available

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7.9

Fuel tank capacity - Gal211

Fuel tank capacity - Liters29.9

Fuel tank capacity - Liters798.72

Horsepower21 hp

Horsepowernot available

Fuel typeDiesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeinboard

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail211 gal. (800 l)

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425 hp

Performance

Maximum speed7.2

Maximum speednot available

Maximum speed measureknots

Maximum speed measurenot available

Operational Info

Sleeping capacity6

Sleeping capacitynot available

Cabins2

Cabinsnot available

Head1

Headnot available

Water capacity42.3

Water capacity85 gal. (320 l)

Holding tank capacity - Gal13.2

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters49.97

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

RiggingSloop

Riggingnot available

Mast ConfigurationKeel stepped mast

Mast Configurationnot available

Boat typeSail

Boat typenot available

General Boat Info

Makenot available

MakeBeneteau

Modelnot available

ModelSwift Trawler 34

Model Yearnot available

Model Year2013

Beneteau First 31.7 1997 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 is the longer of the two at 36,0 feet overall. The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 comes in at 31,6 feet, making it roughly 4,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013?

For trailering, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 has the edge at 1 642 lbs dry weight versus 8 267 lbs for the Beneteau First 31.7 1997. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 tops out at 21 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 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.

What is the draft of the Beneteau First 31.7 1997?

The Beneteau First 31.7 1997 draws 6,2 ft. Draft determines which harbours, anchorages, and haul-out facilities are accessible — always verify with your local marina before purchase.

Which boat is better equipped for long-distance cruising?

For extended passages, fresh water capacity is a key indicator of cruising readiness. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 carries 85 gallons of fresh water compared to 42 gallons on the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 — a meaningful advantage when watermaker installations or port stops aren't guaranteed.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 measures 157" wide, compared to 128" for the Beneteau First 31.7 1997. 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 31.7 1997 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 has the bigger tank at 211 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Beneteau First 31.7 1997. That 203-gallon difference translates to roughly 609–1015 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 and Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Beneteau First 31.7 1997 and the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 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.

← Beneteau First 31.7 1997 full specs ← Beneteau Swift Trawler 34 2013 full specs