1988 Swan 38 vs Bavaria Cruiser 34 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Bavaria Cruiser 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2010–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Bavaria Cruiser 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1988 Swan 38 measures 11.55m (37.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.55m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 34 at 10.25m (33.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 1988 Swan 38 is 1.30m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The 1988 Swan 38 displaces approximately 36% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Swan 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 63.2 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 34, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Swan 38 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Swan 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The Bavaria Cruiser 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Swan 38 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 120L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Swan 38 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 1988 Swan 38 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Swan 38 · Bavaria Cruiser 34