2004 Bavaria 38 vs 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 — Comparison
2004 Bavaria 38
2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Bavaria 38 | 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Beneteau |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2012–2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.72 m (38.5 ft) | 12.43 m (40.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 10.89 m (35.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Bavaria 38 and 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2004 Bavaria 38 was penned by J&J Design. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 2004 Bavaria 38 measures 11.72m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 at 12.43m (40.8ft) with a 3.99m beam. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 is 0.71m longer than the 2004 Bavaria 38. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 displaces approximately 13% 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41, with an SA/D of 18.05 and 74.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2004 Bavaria 38 and 30.6% for the 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41, 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 140L 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 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 41 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.