Bavaria 42 vs Bavaria 44 — Comparison
Bavaria 42
Bavaria 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 42 | Bavaria 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Bavaria |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2002–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) |
| Beam | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 42 and Bavaria 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 42 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Bavaria 44 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Bavaria 42 was penned by J&J Design. The Bavaria 44 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 42 measures 12.99m (42.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.06m, compared to the Bavaria 44 at 13.55m (44.5ft) with a 4.18m beam. The Bavaria 44 is 0.56m longer than the Bavaria 42. The Bavaria 44 displaces approximately 10% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.15 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 86.0 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 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 31.2% for the Bavaria 42 and 31.4% for the Bavaria 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Bavaria 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 230L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 42 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.