Bavaria 34 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Bavaria 34
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 34 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2000–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 34 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 34 is a 1990s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria 34 was penned by J&J Design. The Hunter 356 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 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Hunter 356 is 0.47m longer than the Bavaria 34. The Hunter 356 displaces approximately 5% 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 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 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 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the Bavaria 34 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, 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 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.