2002 Beneteau First 40.7 vs Bavaria 46 — Comparison
2002 Beneteau First 40.7
Bavaria 46
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 | Bavaria 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2002–2007 | 2004–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,030 kg (15,498 lbs) | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and Bavaria 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 46 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 was penned by Bruce Farr. The Bavaria 46 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the Bavaria 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Bavaria 46 is 2.08m longer than the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7. The Bavaria 46 displaces approximately 59% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.49 and 74.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 46, with an SA/D of 19.28 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The Bavaria 46 has a comfort ratio of 14.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 38.7% for the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 and 31.3% for the Bavaria 46, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 160L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Bavaria 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 46 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 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 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 46 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: 2002 Beneteau First 40.7 · Bavaria 46