1987 Beneteau First 38 vs Bavaria 46 — Comparison
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Beneteau First 38 | Bavaria 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1987–1992 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Beneteau First 38 and Bavaria 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 46 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1987 Beneteau First 38 was penned by Jean Berret. The Bavaria 46 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 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 2.69m longer than the 1987 Beneteau First 38. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 59% 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 46, with an SA/D of 19.28 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 46 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 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 39.8% for the 1987 Beneteau First 38 and 31.3% for the Bavaria 46, 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 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L 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 Bavaria 46 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 46 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 46