Bavaria 34 vs Dufour 385 Grand Large — Comparison
Bavaria 34
Dufour 385 Grand Large
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 34 | Dufour 385 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Dufour |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Designer | J&J Design | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) | 11.53 m (37.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) | 3.68 m (12.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 2,150 kg (4,740 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 34 and Dufour 385 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 34 is a 1990s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Dufour 385 Grand Large is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The Bavaria 34 was penned by J&J Design. The Dufour 385 Grand Large was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 34 measures 10.35m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.38m, compared to the Dufour 385 Grand Large at 11.53m (37.8ft) with a 3.68m beam. The Dufour 385 Grand Large is 1.18m longer than the Bavaria 34. The Dufour 385 Grand Large displaces approximately 37% 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 62.0 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the Bavaria 34 and 30.3% for the Dufour 385 Grand Large, 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 Dufour 385 Grand Large offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 130L 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.