1981 Pearson 303 vs Bavaria 34 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
Bavaria 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | Bavaria 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Bavaria |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | William Shaw | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and Bavaria 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the Bavaria 34 is a 1990s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The Bavaria 34 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 303 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the Bavaria 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.38m beam. The Bavaria 34 is 1.21m longer than the 1981 Pearson 303. The Bavaria 34 displaces approximately 35% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 303 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.45 and 39.8 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 1981 Pearson 303 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Bavaria 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 32.7% for the Bavaria 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 303 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The Bavaria 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 303 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: The Bavaria 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.