Bavaria 34 vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Bavaria 34
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 34 | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 34 and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 34 is a 1990s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria 34 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 40 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 34 measures 10.35m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.38m, compared to the Dufour 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Dufour 40 is 1.70m longer than the Bavaria 34. The Dufour 40 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Dufour 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the Bavaria 34 and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Dufour 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 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 Bavaria 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 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: Bavaria 34 · Dufour 40