Bavaria 42 vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
Bavaria 42
2003 Sabre 402
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 42 | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Sabre |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 42 and 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 42 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The Bavaria 42 was penned by J&J Design. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 42 measures 12.99m (42.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.06m, compared to the 2003 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam. The Bavaria 42 is 0.80m longer than the 2003 Sabre 402. The Bavaria 42 displaces approximately 14% 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 2003 Sabre 402, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 42 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 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 31.2% for the Bavaria 42 and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, 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 2003 Sabre 402 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Sabre 402 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 42 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.