2004 Bavaria 38 vs Hunter 450 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Bavaria 38 | Hunter 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Hunter |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | J&J Design | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.72 m (38.5 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 341 L (90.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Bavaria 38 and Hunter 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the Hunter 450 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 2004 Bavaria 38 was penned by J&J Design. The Hunter 450 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 2004 Bavaria 38 measures 11.72m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the Hunter 450 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.27m beam. The Hunter 450 is 2.00m longer than the 2004 Bavaria 38. The Hunter 450 displaces approximately 45% 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 Hunter 450, with an SA/D of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 450 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 Hunter 450 has a comfort ratio of 15.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2004 Bavaria 38 and 37.5% for the Hunter 450, 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 Hunter 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L water and 189L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2004 Bavaria 38 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 Hunter 450 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: 2004 Bavaria 38 · Hunter 450