1979 Islander 36 vs Bavaria 42 — Comparison
1979 Islander 36
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Islander 36 | Bavaria 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Bavaria |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.2 m² (583 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Islander 36 and Bavaria 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Islander 36 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the Bavaria 42 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1979 Islander 36 was penned by Alan Gurney. The Bavaria 42 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1979 Islander 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Bavaria 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The Bavaria 42 is 2.02m longer than the 1979 Islander 36. The Bavaria 42 displaces approximately 46% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Islander 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.06 and 54.2 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 42, with an SA/D of 18.15 and 79.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 Islander 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The Bavaria 42 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1979 Islander 36 and 31.2% for the Bavaria 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Islander 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Bavaria 42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Islander 36 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 42 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 42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1979 Islander 36 · Bavaria 42