1981 Pearson 36 vs Bavaria 42 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 36
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 36 | Bavaria 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Bavaria |
| Year | 1981–1985 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | William Shaw | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,124 kg (13,501 lbs) | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.6 m² (555 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 | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 36 and Bavaria 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 36 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the Bavaria 42 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1981 Pearson 36 was penned by William Shaw. The Bavaria 42 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 36 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Bavaria 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The Bavaria 42 is 2.32m longer than the 1981 Pearson 36. The Bavaria 42 displaces approximately 52% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.66 and 51.6 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 1981 Pearson 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria 42 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.7% for the 1981 Pearson 36 and 31.2% for the Bavaria 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 114L 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 1981 Pearson 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1981 Pearson 36 · Bavaria 42