The Beneteau First Class 7 1985 vs Beneteau Oceanis 62 2017 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 Oceanis 62 2017 measures 62,1 feet overall (2017), giving it roughly 40,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau First Class 7 1985 at 21,5 feet (1985). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau Oceanis 62 2017 tips the scales at 57 542 lbs — 55 567 lbs less than the Beneteau First Class 7 1985 at 1 975 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 Oceanis 62 2017 tops out at 170 hp. Engine specs for the Beneteau First Class 7 1985 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 Oceanis 62 2017 is rated for 18 passengers, while the Beneteau First Class 7 1985 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Oceanis 62 2017 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau Oceanis 62 2017 displaces 57 542 lbs — a 55 567-lb difference over the Beneteau First Class 7 1985 at 1 975 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 Oceanis 62 2017 draws 9,9 ft, compared to 4,9 ft for the Beneteau First Class 7 1985. That 5,0-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 Class 7 1985 uses Fractional Sloop rigging. The Beneteau Oceanis 62 2017 has a documented auxiliary engine of 170 hp.
The Beneteau First Class 7 1985 is trailerable, giving it a significant lifestyle advantage for sailors who want to move between lakes, rivers, and coastal waters without committing to a marina slip.
Bottom line: The Beneteau Oceanis 62 2017 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 57 542 lbs displacement and 62 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau First Class 7 1985 at 1 975 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option and is trailerable — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.