Bavaria 40 vs Hanse 400 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Hanse 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 40 | Hanse 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hanse |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2002–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) | 12.10 m (39.7 ft) |
| LWL | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) | 10.60 m (34.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 40 and Hanse 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 40 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hanse 400 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Bavaria 40 was penned by J&J Design. The Hanse 400 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 40 measures 12.35m (40.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the Hanse 400 at 12.10m (39.7ft) with a 3.80m beam. The Bavaria 40 is 0.25m longer than the Hanse 400. The Bavaria 40 displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.56 and 72.0 m² of sail area. The Hanse 400, with an SA/D of 17.87 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 400 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hanse 400 has a comfort ratio of 16.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Bavaria 40 and 30.9% for the Hanse 400, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 160L of fuel. The Hanse 400 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 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 Hanse 400 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.