Beneteau First 34.7 2005 vs Beneteau First 40.7 1997 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 or the Beneteau First 40.7 1997?

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 is the longer of the two at 39,1 feet overall. The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 comes in at 34,0 feet, making it roughly 5,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 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 34.7 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 is certified for 11. 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: Which boat has the deeper draft — the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 or the Beneteau First 40.7 1997?

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 has the deeper draft at 7,1 ft, versus 6,7 ft for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. 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.

Q: Which is the faster sailboat — the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 or the Beneteau First 40.7 1997?

Based on rated hull speed, the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 has an edge at 7,9 knots versus 7,2 knots for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. 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.

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

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 measures 150" wide, compared to 133" for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. 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 34.7 2005 or the Beneteau First 40.7 1997?

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 has the bigger tank at 37 gallons, versus 20 gallons on the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 50–83 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 and Beneteau First 40.7 1997 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 and the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 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 34.7 2005 vs Beneteau First 40.7 1997

Beneteau

Beneteau First 34.7 2005

2005

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Beneteau

Beneteau First 40.7 1997

1997

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Beneteau First 34.7 2005 vs Beneteau First 40.7 1997 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 vs Beneteau First 40.7 1997 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 — 21 hp for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 and 40 hp for the Beneteau First 40.7 1997. 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 40.7 1997 carries 37 gallons versus 20 gallons in the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. 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 40.7 1997 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 could be the deciding factor.

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 has a documented displacement of 15 366 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 6,7 ft and 7,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 carries a 40-hp engine against 21 hp on the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.

Hull speed is rated at 7,9 knots for the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 and 7,2 knots for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 carries 72 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 40.7 1997 at 39,1 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 at 34,0 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail34.00 ft

Length overall - Detail39.11 ft

Length - Feet34

Length - Feet39.11

Length overall - Meters10.36

Length overall - Meters11.92

Length overall - Inches408

Length overall - Inches469

Beam11.10 ft

Beam12.50 ft

Beam - Meters3.38

Beam - Meters3.81

Beam - Inches133

Beam - Inches150

Draft [max] - Detail6.70 ft

Draft [max] - Detail7.11 ft

Draft [max] - Meters2.04

Draft [max] - Meters2.17

Draft [max] - Inches80

Draft [max] - Inches85

Displacementnot available

Displacement15366.00 lbs

Body / Hull

Rudder1 spade rudder

Helm1 wheel

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal19.8

Fuel tank capacity - Gal36.5

Fuel tank capacity - Liters74.95

Fuel tank capacity - Liters138.17

Horsepower21 hp

Horsepower40 hp

Fuel typeDiesel

Drive typeinboard

Performance

Maximum speed7.17

Maximum speed7.91

Maximum speed measureknots

Operational Info

Sleeping capacity5

Sleeping capacity6

Cabins1

Cabins2

Head1

Water capacity26.4

Water capacity71.9

Holding tank capacity - Gal21.1

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters79.87

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

RiggingSloop

Mast ConfigurationKeel stepped mast

Boat typeSail

Beneteau First 34.7 2005 vs Beneteau First 40.7 1997 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 or the Beneteau First 40.7 1997?

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 is the longer of the two at 39,1 feet overall. The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 comes in at 34,0 feet, making it roughly 5,1 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 is rated to a maximum of 40 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Beneteau First 34.7 2005 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 34.7 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 is certified for 11. 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 34.7 2005 or the Beneteau First 40.7 1997?

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 has the deeper draft at 7,1 ft, versus 6,7 ft for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. 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 34.7 2005 or the Beneteau First 40.7 1997?

Based on rated hull speed, the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 has an edge at 7,9 knots versus 7,2 knots for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. 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 better equipped for long-distance cruising?

For extended passages, fresh water capacity is a key indicator of cruising readiness. The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 carries 72 gallons of fresh water compared to 26 gallons on the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 — a meaningful advantage when watermaker installations or port stops aren't guaranteed.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 measures 150" wide, compared to 133" for the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. 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 34.7 2005 or the Beneteau First 40.7 1997?

The Beneteau First 40.7 1997 has the bigger tank at 37 gallons, versus 20 gallons on the Beneteau First 34.7 2005. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 50–83 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 and Beneteau First 40.7 1997 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Beneteau First 34.7 2005 and the Beneteau First 40.7 1997 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 34.7 2005 full specs ← Beneteau First 40.7 1997 full specs