Bavaria 37 vs Dufour 45E — Comparison
Bavaria 37
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | Dufour 45E |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 2008–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and Dufour 45E represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 45E is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 45E was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the Dufour 45E at 13.80m (45.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Dufour 45E is 2.42m longer than the Bavaria 37. The Dufour 45E displaces approximately 52% 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 Dufour 45E, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 45E 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 Dufour 45E has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 30.5% for the Dufour 45E, 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 Dufour 45E offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 37 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 Dufour 45E 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 45E 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 · Dufour 45E