Beneteau First 33.7 vs Bavaria 42 — Comparison
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 33.7 | Bavaria 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Jean Berret | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 55.0 m² (592 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 33.7 and Bavaria 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 42 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 33.7 was penned by Jean Berret. The Bavaria 42 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 33.7 measures 10.04m (32.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.32m, compared to the Bavaria 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The Bavaria 42 is 2.95m longer than the Beneteau First 33.7. The Bavaria 42 displaces approximately 98% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 33.7 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.92 and 55.0 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 33.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Bavaria 42 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7 and 31.2% for the Bavaria 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 33.7 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Bavaria 42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 33.7 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 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: Beneteau First 33.7 · Bavaria 42