Bavaria 34 vs Hanse 342 — Comparison
Bavaria 34
Hanse 342
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 34 | Hanse 342 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hanse |
| Year | 1998–2004 | 2006–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) | 5,300 kg (11,684 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 34 and Hanse 342 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 34 is a 1990s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hanse 342 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The Bavaria 34 was penned by J&J Design. The Hanse 342 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 34 measures 10.35m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.38m, compared to the Hanse 342 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.40m beam. The Bavaria 34 is 0.05m longer than the Hanse 342. The Hanse 342 displaces approximately 2% 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 Hanse 342, with an SA/D of 17.38 and 52.0 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 Hanse 342 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the Bavaria 34 and 31.1% for the Hanse 342, 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 Hanse 342 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 100L 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.