1975 Columbia 34 Mk II vs Bavaria Cruiser 34 — Comparison
1975 Columbia 34 Mk II
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II | Bavaria Cruiser 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Bavaria |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 2010–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | William Crealock | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.5 m² (501 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II and Bavaria Cruiser 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II was penned by William Crealock. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 34 at 10.25m (33.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II is 0.11m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 displaces approximately 5% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.71 and 46.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 34, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The Bavaria Cruiser 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II and 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Columbia 34 Mk II 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 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.