2004 Bavaria 38 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Bavaria 38 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Elan |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Slovenia |
| Designer | J&J Design | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.72 m (38.5 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 21 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 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2004 Bavaria 38 was penned by J&J Design. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 2004 Bavaria 38 measures 11.72m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is 1.05m longer than the 2013 Elan 350. The 2004 Bavaria 38 displaces approximately 23% 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 2013 Elan 350, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2013 Elan 350 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 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2004 Bavaria 38 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, 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 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2013 Elan 350 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 2013 Elan 350 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.
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Or view individual specs: 2004 Bavaria 38 · 2013 Elan 350