The Beneteau First 38S5 1989 vs Beneteau First 40 2008 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 38S5 1989 at 38,5 ft versus Beneteau First 40 2008 at 41,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 40 2008 tips the scales at 17 417 lbs — 2 866 lbs less than the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 at 14 551 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 43 hp for the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 and 40 hp for the Beneteau First 40 2008. 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 2008 carries 37 gallons versus 32 gallons in the Beneteau First 38S5 1989. 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 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First 40 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First 40 2008 displaces 17 417 lbs — a 2 866-lb difference over the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 at 14 551 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 40 2008 draws 8,0 ft, compared to 6,2 ft for the Beneteau First 38S5 1989. That 1,8-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 38S5 1989 is rigged as a Sloop while the Beneteau First 40 2008 carries fractional_rig_sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably.
Hull speed is rated at 7,9 knots for the Beneteau First 40 2008 and 7,4 knots for the Beneteau First 38S5 1989. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau First 38S5 1989 carries 98 gallons versus 53 gallons on the Beneteau First 40 2008 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 40 2008 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 17 417 lbs displacement and 41 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First 38S5 1989 at 14 551 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.