The Beneteau First Class 12 1986 vs Beneteau R/C 42 1981 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 R/C 42 1981 measures 43,4 feet overall (1981), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 at 39,3 feet (1986). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 tips the scales at 22 377 lbs - 12 897 lbs less than the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 at 9 480 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 R/C 42 1981 tops out at 50 hp. Engine specs for the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 displaces 22 377 lbs - a 12 897-lb difference over the Beneteau First Class 12 1986 at 9 480 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 Class 12 1986 draws 6,9 ft, compared to 5,7 ft for the Beneteau R/C 42 1981. That 1,2-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 R/C 42 1981 has a documented auxiliary engine of 50 hp.
Bottom line: The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 is the offshore and bluewater choice - at 22 377 lbs displacement and 43 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First Class 12 1986 at 9 480 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option - easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.