2003 Dufour 34 vs Bavaria C42 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Bavaria C42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | Bavaria C42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Bavaria |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | cossutti yacht design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and Bavaria C42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Bavaria C42 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The Bavaria C42 was designed by cossutti yacht design.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the Bavaria C42 at 12.88m (42.3ft) with a 4.09m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 2.58m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The Bavaria C42 displaces approximately 62% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Dufour 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 52.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria C42, with an SA/D of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria C42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Dufour 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Bavaria C42 has a comfort ratio of 15.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 30.9% for the Bavaria C42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Dufour 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 140L of water capacity and 75L of fuel. The Bavaria C42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Dufour 34 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 C42 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 C42 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: 2003 Dufour 34 · Bavaria C42