1980 Peterson 34 vs Bavaria 37 — Comparison
1980 Peterson 34
Bavaria 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Peterson 34 | Bavaria 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Bavaria |
| Year | 1980–1986 | 2000–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 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 1980 Peterson 34 and Bavaria 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Peterson 34 is a 1980s design by Peterson from USA, while the Bavaria 37 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1980 Peterson 34 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Bavaria 37 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1980 Peterson 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the Bavaria 37 at 11.38m (37.3ft) with a 3.61m beam. The Bavaria 37 is 1.02m longer than the 1980 Peterson 34. The Bavaria 37 displaces approximately 32% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Peterson 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 37, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1980 Peterson 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Peterson 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Bavaria 37 has a comfort ratio of 18.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1980 Peterson 34 and 31.9% for the Bavaria 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Peterson 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Bavaria 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Peterson 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 1980 Peterson 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.