Beneteau First 35 vs Bavaria Cruiser 37 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | Bavaria Cruiser 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2014–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and Bavaria Cruiser 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was designed by Farr Yacht 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 Cruiser 37 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.67m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is 0.62m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 displaces approximately 25% 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 Cruiser 37, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 Cruiser 37 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37, 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 Cruiser 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 37 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: 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: Beneteau First 35 · Bavaria Cruiser 37