1993 Beneteau First 42 vs Bavaria Cruiser 37 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | Bavaria Cruiser 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2014–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and Bavaria Cruiser 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 37 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.67m beam. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is 1.47m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 37. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 displaces approximately 28% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 76.3 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 37, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The Bavaria Cruiser 37 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1993 Beneteau First 42 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1993 Beneteau First 42 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: 1993 Beneteau First 42 · Bavaria Cruiser 37