1986 Bavaria 32 vs 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur — Comparison
1986 Bavaria 32
1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1986 Bavaria 32 | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1986–1992 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | Dehler Design | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1986 Bavaria 32 and 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1986 Bavaria 32 is a 1980s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s offering from Wauquiez from France. The 1986 Bavaria 32 was penned by Dehler Design. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the 1986 Bavaria 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur at 10.21m (33.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is 0.46m longer than the 1986 Bavaria 32. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur displaces approximately 11% 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 47.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.8% for the 1986 Bavaria 32 and 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.