Bavaria 37 vs Hunter 36 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
Hunter 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | Hunter 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 1996–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,313 kg (5,099 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 56.0 m² (603 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 27 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and Hunter 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 36 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The Hunter 36 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the Hunter 36 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.56m beam. The Bavaria 37 is 0.56m longer than the Hunter 36. The Bavaria 37 displaces approximately 17% 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 Hunter 36, with an SA/D of 17.43 and 56.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 36 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 Hunter 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 39.2% for the Hunter 36, 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 Hunter 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 37 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 Hunter 36 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.
Compare Different Boats
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria 37 · Hunter 36