The Beneteau First 345 1983 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 2022 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Beneteau First 345 1983 at 36,1 ft versus Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 2022 at 37,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 2022 tips the scales at 18 187 lbs — 6 943 lbs less than the Beneteau First 345 1983 at 11 244 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 35 2022 has a 407-hp advantage over the Beneteau First 345 1983's 18-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 35 2022 carries 211 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Beneteau First 345 1983. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 11 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 2022 displaces 18 187 lbs — a 6 943-lb difference over the Beneteau First 345 1983 at 11 244 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Beneteau First 345 1983 draws 6,2 ft, compared to 3,1 ft for the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 2022. That 3,1-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Beneteau First 345 1983 uses fractional_rig_sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 2022 carries a 425-hp engine against 18 hp on the Beneteau First 345 1983. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau First 345 1983 carries 106 gallons versus 8 gallons on the Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 2022 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Swift Trawler 35 2022 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 18 187 lbs displacement and 37 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 345 1983 at 11 244 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.