The Beneteau First 405 1985 vs Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 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 405 1985 at 40,1 ft versus Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 at 39,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 405 1985 tips the scales at 18 519 lbs — 2 320 lbs more than the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 at 16 199 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 50 hp, the Beneteau First 405 1985 has a 48-hp advantage over the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013's 2-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 Gran Turismo 38 2013 carries 172 gallons versus 34 gallons in the Beneteau First 405 1985. 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 405 1985 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 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 405 1985 could be the deciding factor.
The Beneteau First 405 1985 has a documented displacement of 18 519 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.
The Beneteau First 405 1985 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau First 405 1985 has a documented auxiliary engine of 50 hp.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau First 405 1985 carries 106 gallons versus 53 gallons on the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 405 1985 and Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 2013 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.