Bavaria 44 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 44 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 44 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 44 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria 44 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 44 measures 13.55m (44.5ft) overall with a beam of 4.18m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Bavaria 44 is 2.65m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The Bavaria 44 displaces approximately 65% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 44 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.57 and 86.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 44 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.4% for the Bavaria 44 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 44 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 230L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 Classic 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 44 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 44 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 44 · Dufour 36 Classic