Bavaria 40 vs Bavaria Cruiser 34 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Bavaria 40 | Bavaria Cruiser 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Bavaria |
| Year | 2001–2006 | 2010–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| LWL | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 160 L (42.3 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 300 L (79.3 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Bavaria 40 and Bavaria Cruiser 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Bavaria 40 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The Bavaria 40 was penned by J&J Design. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the Bavaria 40 measures 12.35m (40.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 34 at 10.25m (33.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The Bavaria 40 is 2.10m longer than the Bavaria Cruiser 34. The Bavaria 40 displaces approximately 55% 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 Bavaria Cruiser 34, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 Bavaria Cruiser 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Bavaria 40 and 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 34, 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 Bavaria Cruiser 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L water and 90L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria Cruiser 34 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 · Bavaria Cruiser 34