Bavaria 40 vs 1996 Moody 45 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
1996 Moody 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 40 | 1996 Moody 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Moody |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1996–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | UK |
| Designer | J&J Design | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 4.22 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 40 and 1996 Moody 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 40 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1996 Moody 45 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The Bavaria 40 was penned by J&J Design. The 1996 Moody 45 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 40 measures 12.35m (40.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the 1996 Moody 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.22m beam. The 1996 Moody 45 is 1.37m longer than the Bavaria 40. The 1996 Moody 45 displaces approximately 47% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.56 and 72.0 m² of sail area. The 1996 Moody 45, with an SA/D of 16.03 and 85.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1996 Moody 45 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Bavaria 40 and 39.2% for the 1996 Moody 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 160L of fuel. The 1996 Moody 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Moody 45 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 40 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 40 · 1996 Moody 45