Beneteau First 36.7 vs Bavaria 42 — Comparison
Beneteau First 36.7
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 36.7 | Bavaria 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2002–2008 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 9.65 m (31.7 ft) | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.58 m (11.7 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,800 kg (12,787 lbs) | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 36.7 and Bavaria 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 36.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 42 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 36.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria 42 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 36.7 measures 11.25m (36.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.58m, compared to the Bavaria 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The Bavaria 42 is 1.74m longer than the Beneteau First 36.7. The Bavaria 42 displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 36.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.46 and 65.0 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 36.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 36.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Bavaria 42 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the Beneteau First 36.7 and 31.2% for the Bavaria 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 36.7 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Bavaria 42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 36.7 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 36.7 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 36.7 · Bavaria 42