2004 Bavaria 38 vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2004 Bavaria 38 | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Elan |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | Slovenia |
| Designer | J&J Design | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.72 m (38.5 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 30 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2004 Bavaria 38 and 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2004 Bavaria 38 is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 2004 Bavaria 38 was penned by J&J Design. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the 2004 Bavaria 38 measures 11.72m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 3.76m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2016 Elan GT5 is 2.13m longer than the 2004 Bavaria 38. The 2016 Elan GT5 displaces approximately 36% 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 2016 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 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 2016 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 33.3% for the 2004 Bavaria 38 and 31.4% for the 2016 Elan GT5, 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 2016 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 2016 Elan GT5 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 · 2016 Elan GT5