Bavaria 34 vs Hunter 380 — Comparison
Bavaria 34
Hunter 380
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 34 | Hunter 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2001–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 34 and Hunter 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 34 is a 1990s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 380 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria 34 was penned by J&J Design. The Hunter 380 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 380 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Hunter 380 is 1.23m longer than the Bavaria 34. The Hunter 380 displaces approximately 40% 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 380, with an SA/D of 17.35 and 64.0 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 380 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the Bavaria 34 and 37.5% for the Hunter 380, 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 380 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L 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 Hunter 380 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria 34 · Hunter 380