The Beneteau First 47.7 1999 vs Beneteau First Class 7.5 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Beneteau First 47.7 1999 measures 48,1 feet overall (1999), giving it roughly 22,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First Class 7.5 2008 at 25,9 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 47.7 1999 tips the scales at 26 687 lbs — 24 108 lbs more than the Beneteau First Class 7.5 2008 at 2 579 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 47.7 1999 carries a rated maximum of 100 hp. Engine data for the Beneteau First Class 7.5 2008 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 47.7 1999 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Beneteau First Class 7.5 2008 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau First 47.7 1999 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First 47.7 1999 displaces 26 687 lbs — a 24 108-lb difference over the Beneteau First Class 7.5 2008 at 2 579 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 47.7 1999 draws 7,8 ft, compared to 6,7 ft for the Beneteau First Class 7.5 2008. That 1,1-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 47.7 1999 is rigged as a Sloop while the Beneteau First Class 7.5 2008 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 47.7 1999 has a documented auxiliary engine of 100 hp.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 47.7 1999 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 26 687 lbs displacement and 48 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First Class 7.5 2008 at 2 579 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.