1973 Islander 37 vs Bavaria 34 — Comparison
1973 Islander 37
Bavaria 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Islander 37 | Bavaria 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Bavaria |
| Year | 1973–1978 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.5 m² (587 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Islander 37 and Bavaria 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Islander 37 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Bavaria 34 is a 1990s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1973 Islander 37 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Bavaria 34 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1973 Islander 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Bavaria 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.38m beam. The 1973 Islander 37 is 0.93m longer than the Bavaria 34. The 1973 Islander 37 displaces approximately 26% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Islander 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.77 and 54.5 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 1973 Islander 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Bavaria 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.4% for the 1973 Islander 37 and 32.7% for the Bavaria 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Islander 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Bavaria 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1973 Islander 37 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: 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: 1973 Islander 37 · Bavaria 34