1986 Bavaria 32 vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
1986 Bavaria 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1986 Bavaria 32 | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1986–1992 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Dehler Design | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1986 Bavaria 32 and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1986 Bavaria 32 is a 1980s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1986 Bavaria 32 was penned by Dehler Design. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1986 Bavaria 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1986 Bavaria 32 is 1.52m longer than the 1978 Cape Dory 270. The 1986 Bavaria 32 displaces approximately 80% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1986 Bavaria 32 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.20 and 46.0 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1986 Bavaria 32 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1986 Bavaria 32 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 38.8% for the 1986 Bavaria 32 and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1986 Bavaria 32 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 130L of water capacity and 75L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 1986 Bavaria 32 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1986 Bavaria 32 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: 1986 Bavaria 32 · 1978 Cape Dory 270