Beneteau First 29 vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 29 | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 1995–2000 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.90 m (29.2 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.95 m (26.1 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 50 L (13.2 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 29 and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 29 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 29 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 29 measures 8.90m (29.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.95m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 36 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.57m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 2.40m longer than the Beneteau First 29. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 106% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 29 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.88 and 39.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 36, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 29 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.8% for the Beneteau First 29 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 29 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 80L of water capacity and 50L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 36 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 29 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 36 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: Beneteau First 29 · Bavaria Cruiser 36