Bavaria 42 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 42 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Elan |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Slovenia |
| Designer | J&J Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 42 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 42 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Bavaria 42 was penned by J&J Design. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 42 measures 12.99m (42.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.06m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 0.86m longer than the Bavaria 42. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 16% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.15 and 79.0 m² of sail area. The 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 31.2% for the Bavaria 42 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 42 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 2015 Elan 450 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 42 · 2015 Elan 450