2004 Bavaria 38 vs Bavaria 34 — Comparison
2004 Bavaria 38
Bavaria 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Bavaria 38 | Bavaria 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Bavaria |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Designer | J&J Design | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.72 m (38.5 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Bavaria 38 and Bavaria 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Bavaria 34 is a 1990s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 2004 Bavaria 38 was penned by J&J Design. The Bavaria 34 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 2004 Bavaria 38 measures 11.72m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the Bavaria 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.38m beam. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is 1.37m longer than the Bavaria 34. The 2004 Bavaria 38 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2004 Bavaria 38 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.70 and 63.0 m² of sail area. The Bavaria 34, with an SA/D of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2004 Bavaria 38 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Bavaria 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2004 Bavaria 38 and 32.7% for the Bavaria 34, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2004 Bavaria 38 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 200L of water capacity and 100L of fuel. The Bavaria 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Bavaria 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 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2004 Bavaria 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.