Bavaria 37 vs Hunter 356 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
Hunter 356
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | Hunter 356 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 2000–2005 |
| 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) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 3.53 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 53.0 m² (571 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and Hunter 356 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 356 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The Hunter 356 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 356 at 10.82m (35.5ft) with a 3.53m beam. The Bavaria 37 is 0.56m longer than the Hunter 356. The Bavaria 37 displaces approximately 27% 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 356, with an SA/D of 17.40 and 53.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 356 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 356 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 40.0% for the Hunter 356, 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 356 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L 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 356 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
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Bavaria 37 · Hunter 356