Bavaria 37 vs 1992 Contest 42 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
1992 Contest 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | 1992 Contest 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Contest |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 1992–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Netherlands |
| Designer | J&J Design | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 10,400 kg (22,928 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and 1992 Contest 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1992 Contest 42 is a 1990s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The 1992 Contest 42 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the 1992 Contest 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1992 Contest 42 is 1.42m longer than the Bavaria 37. The 1992 Contest 42 displaces approximately 51% 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 1992 Contest 42, with an SA/D of 16.20 and 76.0 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 1992 Contest 42 has a comfort ratio of 21.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 40.4% for the 1992 Contest 42, 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 1992 Contest 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1992 Contest 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 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 1992 Contest 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: Bavaria 37 · 1992 Contest 42