The Beneteau First 36.7 2002 vs Beneteau First Class Europe 0 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 36.7 2002 at 36,0 ft versus Beneteau First Class Europe 0 at 37,3 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 36.7 2002 tips the scales at 12 941 lbs — 6 107 lbs more than the Beneteau First Class Europe 0 at 6 834 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 Beneteau First 36.7 2002 carries a rated maximum of 29 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau First Class Europe 0 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau First Class Europe 0 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Beneteau First 36.7 2002 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 Class Europe 0 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First 36.7 2002 displaces 12 941 lbs — a 6 107-lb difference over the Beneteau First Class Europe 0 at 6 834 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.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 7,2 ft and 6,2 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Beneteau First 36.7 2002 is rigged as a Sloop while the Beneteau First Class Europe 0 carries Fractional Sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably. The Beneteau First 36.7 2002 has a documented auxiliary engine of 29 hp.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 36.7 2002 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 12 941 lbs displacement and 36 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First Class Europe 0 at 6 834 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.