1997 Moody 38 vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
1997 Moody 38
Bavaria Cruiser 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1997 Moody 38 | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Moody | Bavaria |
| Year | 1997–2003 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | UK | Germany |
| Designer | Bill Dixon | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 59.8 m² (644 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Bilge | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1997 Moody 38 and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1997 Moody 38 is a 1990s design by Moody from UK, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1997 Moody 38 was penned by Bill Dixon. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1997 Moody 38 measures 11.58m (38.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.72m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 36 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.57m beam. The 1997 Moody 38 is 0.28m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 36. The 1997 Moody 38 displaces approximately 28% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1997 Moody 38 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.98 and 59.8 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 1997 Moody 38 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The Bavaria Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the 1997 Moody 38 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1997 Moody 38 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1997 Moody 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 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 1997 Moody 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.