Beneteau First 35 vs Bavaria C42 — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | Bavaria C42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | cossutti yacht design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and Bavaria C42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria C42 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria C42 was designed by cossutti 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 C42 at 12.88m (42.3ft) with a 4.09m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 2.20m longer than the Beneteau First 35. 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 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 C42, with an SA/D of 17.98 and 76.0 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 C42 has a comfort ratio of 15.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 30.9% for the Bavaria C42, 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 C42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 200L 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 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: Beneteau First 35 · Bavaria C42