1987 Beneteau First 345 vs Bavaria 40 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 345 | Bavaria 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.45 m (34.3 ft) | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 345 and Bavaria 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 40 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1987 Beneteau First 345 was penned by Jean Berret. The Bavaria 40 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 measures 10.45m (34.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the Bavaria 40 at 12.35m (40.5ft) with a 3.99m beam. The Bavaria 40 is 1.90m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 345. The Bavaria 40 displaces approximately 56% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1987 Beneteau First 345 and 30.6% for the Bavaria 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 345 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Bavaria 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Beneteau First 345 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 Bavaria 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1987 Beneteau First 345 · Bavaria 40