Beneteau First 40 vs Bavaria 40 — Comparison
Beneteau First 40
Bavaria 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Bavaria 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Bavaria 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 40 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria 40 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 40 measures 12.16m (39.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.80m, compared to the Bavaria 40 at 12.35m (40.5ft) with a 3.99m beam. The Bavaria 40 is 0.19m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The Bavaria 40 displaces approximately 21% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 40 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.55 and 74.0 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 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Bavaria 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 30.6% for the Bavaria 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The Bavaria 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 40 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 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.