2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser vs Beneteau First 30 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser | Beneteau First 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Beneteau |
| Year | 2000–2005 | 1983–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.20 m (26.9 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.17 m (10.4 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 55 L (14.5 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser and Beneteau First 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s offering from Beneteau from France. The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser was penned by J&J Design. The Beneteau First 30 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser measures 9.45m (31.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.17m, compared to the Beneteau First 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser is 0.31m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.18 and 44.0 m² of sail area. The Beneteau First 30, with an SA/D of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Beneteau First 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 35.7% for the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser and 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 55L of fuel. The Beneteau First 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 30 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 Beneteau First 30 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: 2000 Bavaria 30 Cruiser · Beneteau First 30