2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser vs Beneteau First 24 — Comparison
2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser
Beneteau First 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser | Beneteau First 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Beneteau |
| Year | 2000–2005 | 2008–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 7.20 m (23.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) | 6.45 m (21.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.17 m (10.4 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 460 kg (1,014 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 27.0 m² (291 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 6 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 55 L (14.5 gal) | 20 L (5.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser and Beneteau First 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Beneteau First 24 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser was penned by J&J Design. The Beneteau First 24 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser measures 9.45m (31.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.17m, compared to the Beneteau First 24 at 7.20m (23.6ft) with a 2.50m beam. The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser is 2.25m longer than the Beneteau First 24. The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser displaces approximately 200% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.18 and 44.0 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 24, with an SA/D of 21.93 and 27.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Beneteau First 24 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser and 32.9% for the Beneteau First 24, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 55L of fuel. The Beneteau First 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 20L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser 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 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.