2020 Bavaria C45 vs 1987 Cape Dory 40 — Comparison
2020 Bavaria C45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2020 Bavaria C45 | 1987 Cape Dory 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2020 | 1987–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Cossutti Yacht Design | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2020 Bavaria C45 and 1987 Cape Dory 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2020 Bavaria C45 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 2020 Bavaria C45 was penned by Cossutti Yacht Design. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 2020 Bavaria C45 measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the 1987 Cape Dory 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2020 Bavaria C45 is 2.08m longer than the 1987 Cape Dory 40. The 2020 Bavaria C45 displaces approximately 28% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2020 Bavaria C45 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.89 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The 1987 Cape Dory 40, with an SA/D of 15.59 and 64.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2020 Bavaria C45 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2020 Bavaria C45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1987 Cape Dory 40 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 30.0% for the 2020 Bavaria C45 and 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2020 Bavaria C45 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Cape Dory 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 2020 Bavaria C45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2020 Bavaria C45 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: 2020 Bavaria C45 · 1987 Cape Dory 40