2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bavaria | Ericson |
| Year | 2008–2013 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.27 m (46.8 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 7 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser is a 2000s design by Bavaria from Germany, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser measures 14.27m (46.8ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser is 2.69m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser displaces approximately 54% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.34 and 92.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 14.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.4% for the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 180L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 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 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser 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: 2008 Bavaria 47 Cruiser · 1984 Ericson 38