1988 Swan 38 vs Bavaria Cruiser 37 — Comparison
1988 Swan 38
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Swan 38 | Bavaria Cruiser 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nautor Swan | Bavaria |
| Year | 1988–1993 | 2014–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Finland | Germany |
| Designer | German Frers | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.55 m (37.9 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.2 m² (680 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Swan 38 and Bavaria Cruiser 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Swan 38 is a 1980s design by Nautor Swan from Finland, while the Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1988 Swan 38 was penned by German Frers. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 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 37 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.67m beam. The 1988 Swan 38 is 0.25m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 37. The 1988 Swan 38 displaces approximately 8% 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 37, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 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 37 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.4% for the 1988 Swan 38 and 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37, 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 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 140L 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 Bavaria Cruiser 37 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.