Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 vs Bavaria C42 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Bavaria C42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 | Bavaria C42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2017 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | cossutti yacht design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) |
| LWL | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and Bavaria C42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria C42 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The Bavaria C42 was designed by cossutti yacht design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 measures 11.50m (37.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Bavaria C42 at 12.88m (42.3ft) with a 4.09m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 1.38m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The Bavaria C42 displaces approximately 24% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria C42, with an SA/D of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria C42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria C42 has a comfort ratio of 15.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 and 30.9% for the Bavaria C42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The Bavaria C42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 Bavaria C42 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 C42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 · Bavaria C42