Beneteau First 47.7 vs Bavaria 44 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 47.7 | Bavaria 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Bavaria |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 2002–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.69 m (48.2 ft) | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.90 m (42.3 ft) | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) |
| Beam | 4.30 m (14.1 ft) | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 450 L (118.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 47.7 and Bavaria 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 47.7 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the Bavaria 44 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Beneteau First 47.7 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The Bavaria 44 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 47.7 measures 14.69m (48.2ft) overall with a beam of 4.30m, compared to the Bavaria 44 at 13.55m (44.5ft) with a 4.18m beam. The Beneteau First 47.7 is 1.14m longer than the Bavaria 44. The Beneteau First 47.7 displaces approximately 13% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 47.7 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.93 and 105.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 47.7 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 47.7 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Bavaria 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 36.5% for the Beneteau First 47.7 and 31.4% for the Bavaria 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 47.7 provides 10 berths in 3 cabins with 450L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The Bavaria 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 230L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 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 Beneteau First 47.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 47.7 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: Beneteau First 47.7 · Bavaria 44