Bavaria 40 vs Hunter 33 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Hunter 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 40 | Hunter 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 40 and Hunter 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 40 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 33 is a 1980s offering from Hunter from USA. The Bavaria 40 was penned by J&J Design. The Hunter 33 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 40 measures 12.35m (40.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the Hunter 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The Bavaria 40 is 2.29m longer than the Hunter 33. The Bavaria 40 displaces approximately 78% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Bavaria 40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.56 and 72.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 33, with an SA/D of 17.23 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Bavaria 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 33 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Bavaria 40 and 38.1% for the Hunter 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Bavaria 40 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L of water capacity and 160L of fuel. The Hunter 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 33 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 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 40 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 40 · Hunter 33