Beneteau First 30 vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 36 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.57m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 2.16m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 78% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 36, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 30 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Beneteau First 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 30 · Bavaria Cruiser 36