Bavaria 37 vs 1987 Cape Dory 40 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
1987 Cape Dory 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | 1987 Cape Dory 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 1987–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and 1987 Cape Dory 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the 1987 Cape Dory 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 is 0.81m longer than the Bavaria 37. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 37 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The 1987 Cape Dory 40, with an SA/D of 15.59 and 64.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 37 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1987 Cape Dory 40 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 130L of fuel. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Cape Dory 40 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 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.