The Beneteau First 51 1986 vs Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 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 51 1986 measures 51,4 feet overall (1986), giving it roughly 15,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 2008 at 36,4 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau First 51 1986 tips the scales at 28 660 lbs — 15 311 lbs more than the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 2008 at 13 349 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 80 hp, the Beneteau First 51 1986 has a 50-hp advantage over the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 2008's 30-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau First 51 1986 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 2008 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 51 1986 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau First 51 1986 displaces 28 660 lbs — a 15 311-lb difference over the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 2008 at 13 349 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 51 1986 draws 9,2 ft, compared to 5,0 ft for the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 2008. That 4,2-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 51 1986 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Beneteau First 51 1986 carries a 80-hp engine against 30 hp on the Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 2008. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Bottom line: The Beneteau First 51 1986 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 28 660 lbs displacement and 51 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361 2008 at 13 349 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.