1980 Peterson 34 vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Peterson 34 | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Bavaria |
| Year | 1980–1986 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Peterson 34 and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Peterson 34 is a 1980s design by Peterson from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1980 Peterson 34 was penned by Doug Peterson. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht 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 Cruiser 36 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.57m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 0.94m longer than the 1980 Peterson 34. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 23% 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 Cruiser 36, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 58.0 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 Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1980 Peterson 34 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, 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 Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1980 Peterson 34 · Bavaria Cruiser 36