2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser vs Beneteau First 40 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser | Beneteau First 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Beneteau |
| Year | 2012–2016 | 2006–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.99 m (32.8 ft) | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 65 L (17.2 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser and Beneteau First 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Beneteau First 40 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser measures 9.99m (32.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the Beneteau First 40 at 12.16m (39.9ft) with a 3.80m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 2.17m longer than the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 40, with an SA/D of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Beneteau First 40 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser and 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 65L of fuel. The Beneteau First 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L water and 150L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2012 Bavaria 33 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 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 Beneteau First 40 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: 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser · Beneteau First 40