1970 Irwin 34 vs Bavaria Cruiser 37 — Comparison
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Irwin 34 | Bavaria Cruiser 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Irwin | Bavaria |
| Year | 1970–1978 | 2014–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Ted Irwin | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.9 m² (516 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Irwin 34 and Bavaria Cruiser 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Irwin 34 is a 1970s design by Irwin from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1970 Irwin 34 was penned by Ted Irwin. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1970 Irwin 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 37 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.67m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is 0.94m longer than the 1970 Irwin 34. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 displaces approximately 27% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Irwin 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.73 and 47.9 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 37, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Irwin 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The Bavaria Cruiser 37 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1970 Irwin 34 and 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Irwin 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Irwin 34 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 Cruiser 37 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: 1970 Irwin 34 · Bavaria Cruiser 37