Bavaria 42 vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
Bavaria 42
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 42 | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 42 and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 42 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria 42 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 42 measures 12.99m (42.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.06m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 44 is 0.21m longer than the Bavaria 42. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 2% 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 Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 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 Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 31.2% for the Bavaria 42 and 31.6% for the Dufour 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 Dufour 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L 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 Dufour 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.