Bavaria Cruiser 37 vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria Cruiser 37 | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2014–2020 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria Cruiser 37 and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Dufour 40 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 measures 11.30m (37.1ft) overall with a beam of 3.67m, compared to the Dufour 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Dufour 40 is 0.75m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 37. The Dufour 40 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.82 and 60.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Dufour 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37 and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria Cruiser 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Dufour 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 37 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 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 Dufour 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: Bavaria Cruiser 37 · Dufour 40