1982 Hunter 34 vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
1982 Hunter 34
Bavaria Cruiser 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1982 Hunter 34 | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | Bavaria |
| Year | 1982–1988 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | 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 | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 50.2 m² (540 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 95 L (25.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1982 Hunter 34 and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1982 Hunter 34 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1982 Hunter 34 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1982 Hunter 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, 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 1982 Hunter 34. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1982 Hunter 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.48 and 50.2 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1982 Hunter 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1982 Hunter 34 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1982 Hunter 34 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 95L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Hunter 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1982 Hunter 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.