Bavaria 42 vs Dufour 460 Grand Large — Comparison
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 42 | Dufour 460 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2016–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) | 14.15 m (46.4 ft) |
| LWL | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) | 12.65 m (41.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) | 3,400 kg (7,496 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 430 L (113.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 42 and Dufour 460 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 42 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 460 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria 42 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 460 Grand Large was designed by Felci Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 42 measures 12.99m (42.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.06m, compared to the Dufour 460 Grand Large at 14.15m (46.4ft) with a 4.35m beam. The Dufour 460 Grand Large is 1.16m longer than the Bavaria 42. The Dufour 460 Grand Large displaces approximately 18% 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 Dufour 460 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 18.89 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 460 Grand Large 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 Dufour 460 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 31.2% for the Bavaria 42 and 30.9% for the Dufour 460 Grand Large, 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 Dufour 460 Grand Large offers 10 berths in 3 cabins with 430L water and 200L 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 Dufour 460 Grand Large has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 460 Grand Large 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: Bavaria 42 · Dufour 460 Grand Large