Beneteau First 40 vs Bavaria 49 — Comparison
Bavaria 49
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Bavaria 49 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2005–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 14.98 m (49.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 13,000 kg (28,660 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 102.0 m² (1,098 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Bavaria 49 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 49 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria 49 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 49 at 14.98m (49.1ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Bavaria 49 is 2.82m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The Bavaria 49 displaces approximately 86% 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 49, with an SA/D of 18.74 and 102.0 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 49 has a comfort ratio of 14.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40 and 32.3% for the Bavaria 49, 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 49 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 500L water and 280L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 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: The Bavaria 49 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 40 · Bavaria 49