2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser is 1.07m longer than the Dufour 44. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser displaces approximately 21% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
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 Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 44 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 Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, 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 Dufour 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 44 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 Dufour 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.