2004 Bavaria 38 vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Bavaria 38 | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.72 m (38.5 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Bavaria 38 and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 2004 Bavaria 38 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 40 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 2004 Bavaria 38 measures 11.72m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the Dufour 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Dufour 40 is 0.33m longer than the 2004 Bavaria 38. The Dufour 40 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2004 Bavaria 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.70 and 63.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2004 Bavaria 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2004 Bavaria 38 and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2004 Bavaria 38 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The Dufour 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Bavaria 38 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 40 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2004 Bavaria 38 · Dufour 40