Bavaria 34 vs Hunter 260 — Comparison
Bavaria 34
Hunter 260
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 34 | Hunter 260 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) | 7.85 m (25.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) | 6.86 m (22.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 771 kg (1,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 27.5 m² (296 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 34 and Hunter 260 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 34 is a 1990s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 260 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria 34 was penned by J&J Design. The Hunter 260 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 34 measures 10.35m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.38m, compared to the Hunter 260 at 7.85m (25.8ft) with a 2.74m beam. The Bavaria 34 is 2.50m longer than the Hunter 260. The Bavaria 34 displaces approximately 155% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 260, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 27.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 260 has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.87. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the Bavaria 34 and 37.8% for the Hunter 260, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The Hunter 260 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 34 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 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria 34 · Hunter 260