Beneteau First 35 vs Bavaria 40 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | Bavaria 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and Bavaria 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 40 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria 40 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, compared to the Bavaria 40 at 12.35m (40.5ft) with a 3.99m beam. The Bavaria 40 is 1.67m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The Bavaria 40 displaces approximately 55% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Bavaria 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 30.6% for the Bavaria 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The Bavaria 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 35 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 Beneteau First 35 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 40 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: Beneteau First 35 · Bavaria 40