Beneteau First 40 vs Bavaria Cruiser 46 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 40 | Bavaria Cruiser 46 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2006–2012 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) |
| LWL | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) | 12.60 m (41.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 280 L (74.0 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 40 and Bavaria Cruiser 46 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 46 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 40 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 was designed by Farr Yacht 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 Cruiser 46 at 14.27m (46.8ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 is 2.11m longer than the Beneteau First 40. The Bavaria Cruiser 46 displaces approximately 64% 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 Cruiser 46, with an SA/D of 18.34 and 92.0 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 Cruiser 46 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 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 46, 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 Cruiser 46 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 450L water and 250L 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 Cruiser 46 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 Cruiser 46