Bavaria C42 vs Dufour 36 Classic — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria C42 | Dufour 36 Classic |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2018 | 1996–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | cossutti yacht design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| LWL | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) | 6,200 kg (13,669 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 45 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria C42 and Dufour 36 Classic represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria C42 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 36 Classic is a 1990s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria C42 was penned by cossutti yacht design. The Dufour 36 Classic was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Bavaria C42 measures 12.88m (42.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the Dufour 36 Classic at 10.90m (35.8ft) with a 3.50m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 1.98m longer than the Dufour 36 Classic. The Bavaria C42 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria C42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 36 Classic, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 57.0 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 Bavaria C42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Dufour 36 Classic has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria C42 and 32.3% for the Dufour 36 Classic, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria C42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Dufour 36 Classic offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 36 Classic 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.
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria C42 · Dufour 36 Classic