Bavaria C42 vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria C42 | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2018 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | cossutti yacht design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 45 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria C42 and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria C42 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria C42 was penned by cossutti yacht design. The Dufour 40 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 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 0.83m longer than the Dufour 40. The Bavaria C42 displaces approximately 14% 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 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 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 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria C42 and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, 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 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 40 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria C42 · Dufour 40