Bavaria 37 vs 1984 O'Day 30 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | 1984 O'Day 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | O'Day |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 1984–1989 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 1,452 kg (3,201 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and 1984 O'Day 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1984 O'Day 30 is a 1980s offering from O'Day from USA. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The 1984 O'Day 30 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the 1984 O'Day 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The Bavaria 37 is 2.24m longer than the 1984 O'Day 30. The Bavaria 37 displaces approximately 90% 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 1984 O'Day 30, with an SA/D of 15.49 and 36.0 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 1984 O'Day 30 has a comfort ratio of 19.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 40.0% for the 1984 O'Day 30, 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 1984 O'Day 30 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 O'Day 30 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 · 1984 O'Day 30