Bavaria 37 vs 1983 Pearson 31 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
1983 Pearson 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | 1983 Pearson 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Pearson |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and 1983 Pearson 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1983 Pearson 31 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The 1983 Pearson 31 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the 1983 Pearson 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Bavaria 37 is 1.93m longer than the 1983 Pearson 31. The Bavaria 37 displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 37 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.10 and 61.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Pearson 31, with an SA/D of 15.35 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 37 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1983 Pearson 31 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 42.1% for the 1983 Pearson 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L of water capacity and 130L of fuel. The 1983 Pearson 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Pearson 31 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 37 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.
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria 37 · 1983 Pearson 31