The Beneteau First 36S7 1995 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019 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 47 2019 measures 48,4 feet overall (2019), giving it roughly 13,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 at 35,1 feet (1995). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019 tips the scales at 27 958 lbs — 15 171 lbs less than the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 at 12 787 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 Swift Trawler 47 2019 tops out at 425 hp. Engine specs for the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019 carries 51 gallons versus 24 gallons in the Beneteau First 36S7 1995. 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 47 2019 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019 displaces 27 958 lbs — a 15 171-lb difference over the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 at 12 787 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 36S7 1995 draws 6,1 ft, compared to 3,8 ft for the Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019. That 2,3-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 36S7 1995 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019 has a documented auxiliary engine of 425 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 24,0 knots for the Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019 and 7,5 knots for the Beneteau First 36S7 1995. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019 carries 169 gallons versus 79 gallons on the Beneteau First 36S7 1995 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 2019 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 27 958 lbs displacement and 48 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 36S7 1995 at 12 787 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.