1965 Pearson Vanguard vs Bavaria 34 — Comparison
1965 Pearson Vanguard
Bavaria 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Pearson Vanguard | Bavaria 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Bavaria |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Philip Rhodes | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.83 m (32.3 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Pearson Vanguard and Bavaria 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the Bavaria 34 is a 1990s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1965 Pearson Vanguard was penned by Philip Rhodes. The Bavaria 34 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard measures 9.83m (32.3ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the Bavaria 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.38m beam. The Bavaria 34 is 0.52m longer than the 1965 Pearson Vanguard. The Bavaria 34 displaces approximately 27% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.32 and 36.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 34, with an SA/D of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 25.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Bavaria 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1965 Pearson Vanguard and 32.7% for the Bavaria 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1965 Pearson Vanguard provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The Bavaria 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1965 Pearson Vanguard 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 Bavaria 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 34 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: 1965 Pearson Vanguard · Bavaria 34