2003 Dufour 34 vs Bavaria Cruiser 37 — Comparison
2003 Dufour 34
Bavaria Cruiser 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Dufour 34 | Bavaria Cruiser 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | Bavaria |
| Year | 2003–2007 | 2014–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Germany |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.95 m (29.4 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.37 m (11.1 ft) | 3.67 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 6,900 kg (15,212 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 52.5 m² (565 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 75 L (19.8 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 230 L (60.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Dufour 34 and Bavaria Cruiser 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Dufour 34 is a 2000s design by Dufour from France, while the Bavaria Cruiser 37 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2003 Dufour 34 was penned by Umberto Felci. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 2003 Dufour 34 measures 10.30m (33.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.37m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 37 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.67m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 is 1.00m longer than the 2003 Dufour 34. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 displaces approximately 25% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Dufour 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 52.5 m² of sail area. The Bavaria Cruiser 37, with an SA/D of 16.82 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Dufour 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2003 Dufour 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The Bavaria Cruiser 37 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 32.7% for the 2003 Dufour 34 and 30.4% for the Bavaria Cruiser 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Dufour 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 140L of water capacity and 75L of fuel. The Bavaria Cruiser 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 230L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Dufour 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 2003 Dufour 34 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2003 Dufour 34 · Bavaria Cruiser 37