2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser vs Beneteau First 47.7 — Comparison
2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser
Beneteau First 47.7
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser | Beneteau First 47.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Beneteau |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) |
| LWL | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and Beneteau First 47.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Beneteau First 47.7 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the Beneteau First 47.7 at 14.69m (48.2ft) with a 4.30m beam. The Beneteau First 47.7 is 0.42m longer than the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.34 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 47.7, with an SA/D of 20.93 and 105.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Beneteau First 47.7 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The Beneteau First 47.7 offers 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser 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 47.7 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.