Beneteau First 27 vs Bavaria Cruiser 34 — Comparison
Beneteau First 27
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 27 | Bavaria Cruiser 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1990–1994 | 2010–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 9 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 40 L (10.6 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 70 L (18.5 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 27 and Bavaria Cruiser 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 27 was penned by Jean Berret. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 27 measures 8.19m (26.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.79m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 34 at 10.25m (33.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is 2.06m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 displaces approximately 129% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 34, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 27 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The Bavaria Cruiser 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27 and 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L of water capacity and 40L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 34 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 27 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 Cruiser 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.