Bavaria C42 vs Dufour 44 — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Dufour 44
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria C42 | Dufour 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 2018 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | cossutti yacht design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) | 13.20 m (43.3 ft) |
| LWL | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) | 9,500 kg (20,944 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 45 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria C42 and Dufour 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria C42 is a modern design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 44 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria C42 was penned by cossutti yacht design. The Dufour 44 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Bavaria C42 measures 12.88m (42.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the Dufour 44 at 13.20m (43.3ft) with a 4.10m beam. The Dufour 44 is 0.32m longer than the Bavaria C42. The Dufour 44 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria C42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of sail area. The Dufour 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 44 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria C42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The Dufour 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.9% for the Bavaria C42 and 31.6% for the Dufour 44, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria C42 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Dufour 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 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 Dufour 44 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 C42 · Dufour 44