Bavaria 37 vs 2015 Elan 450 — Comparison
Bavaria 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 37 | 2015 Elan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Elan |
| Year | 2000–2006 | 2015–2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Slovenia |
| Designer | J&J Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.38 m (37.3 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.86 m (32.3 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) | 10,800 kg (23,810 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 95.0 m² (1,023 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 27 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 130 L (34.3 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 230 L (60.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 37 and 2015 Elan 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 37 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2015 Elan 450 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The Bavaria 37 was penned by J&J Design. The 2015 Elan 450 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 37 measures 11.38m (37.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.61m, compared to the 2015 Elan 450 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2015 Elan 450 is 2.47m longer than the Bavaria 37. The 2015 Elan 450 displaces approximately 57% 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 2015 Elan 450, with an SA/D of 19.75 and 95.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2015 Elan 450 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 2015 Elan 450 has a comfort ratio of 14.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 31.9% for the Bavaria 37 and 32.4% for the 2015 Elan 450, 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 2015 Elan 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 2015 Elan 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2015 Elan 450 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Bavaria 37 · 2015 Elan 450