Bavaria 40 vs Bavaria 42 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 40 | Bavaria 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Bavaria |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 40 and Bavaria 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 40 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Bavaria 42 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Bavaria 40 was penned by J&J Design. The Bavaria 42 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 40 measures 12.35m (40.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the Bavaria 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The Bavaria 42 is 0.64m longer than the Bavaria 40. The Bavaria 42 displaces approximately 9% 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 Bavaria 42, with an SA/D of 18.15 and 79.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 42 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 Bavaria 42 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Bavaria 40 and 31.2% for the Bavaria 42, 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 Bavaria 42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L 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 Bavaria 42 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.