2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser vs 2017 Leopard 40 — Comparison
2017 Leopard 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser | 2017 Leopard 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Leopard |
| Year | 2012–2016 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Catamaran |
| Country | Germany | South Africa |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.99 m (32.8 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) | 6.56 m (21.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.12 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) | 8,400 kg (18,519 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 65 L (17.2 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser and 2017 Leopard 40 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2017 Leopard 40 is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2017 Leopard 40 was designed by Simonis Voogd.
In terms of size, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser measures 9.99m (32.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.42m, compared to the 2017 Leopard 40 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 6.56m beam. The 2017 Leopard 40 is 1.74m longer than the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser. The 2017 Leopard 40 displaces approximately 56% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The 2017 Leopard 40, with an SA/D of 17.21 and 70.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2017 Leopard 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 2017 Leopard 40 has a comfort ratio of 8.4 and a capsize screening value of 1.29. The ballast ratios are 29.6% for the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser and 0.0% for the 2017 Leopard 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 65L of fuel. The 2017 Leopard 40 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser 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 2017 Leopard 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2017 Leopard 40 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: 2012 Bavaria 33 Cruiser · 2017 Leopard 40