Bavaria 40 vs 1998 Feeling 44 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 40 | 1998 Feeling 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Feeling |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1998–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 40 and 1998 Feeling 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 40 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The Bavaria 40 was penned by J&J Design. The 1998 Feeling 44 was designed by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 40 measures 12.35m (40.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the 1998 Feeling 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 1998 Feeling 44 is 1.06m longer than the Bavaria 40. The 1998 Feeling 44 displaces approximately 24% 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 1998 Feeling 44, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. 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 1998 Feeling 44 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Bavaria 40 and 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44, 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 1998 Feeling 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1998 Feeling 44 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 · 1998 Feeling 44