1987 Beneteau First 38 vs Bavaria 40 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | 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 | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and Bavaria 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 40 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The Bavaria 40 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Bavaria 40 at 12.35m (40.5ft) with a 3.99m beam. The Bavaria 40 is 0.77m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 38. The Bavaria 40 displaces approximately 21% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.00 and 65.0 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Bavaria 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 30.6% for the Bavaria 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Beneteau First 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L 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 38 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 1987 Beneteau First 38 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 38 · Bavaria 40